Pyridylpyrimidines for use as pesticides

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel pyridylpyrimidines of the formula 
                         
in which R 1 , R 2 , X, n, Y, Z and R have the meanings given in the disclosure, to a plurality of processes for preparing these compounds, and to their use for controlling pests. This invention further relates to novel intermediates and process for their preparation.

The present patent application has been filed under 35 U.S.C. 371 as a national stage application of PCT/EP02/01403, filed Feb. 11, 2002, which was published in German as International Patent Publication WO 02/067684 on Sep. 6, 2002, and is entitled to the right of priority of German Patent Application 101 08 481.1, filed Feb. 22, 2001.

The present invention relates to novel pyridylpyrimidines, to a plurality of processes for their preparation and to their use as pesticides.

It is already known that certain pyridylpyrimidine derivatives have pharmaceutical action (cf. JP 52-71481). Other compounds of this type have been described as intermediates for fungicidally active compounds (cf. EP 0 471 261 B1). Still other derivatives are known as complex ligands (cf. J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 1999, 3095-3101, Tetrahedron Lett. 1999, 40, 4779-4782) or are used for synthesizing polycyclic heterocycles (cf. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 1998, 2907-2912). Insecticidally active pyridylpyrimidines have hitherto not been disclosed.

This invention now provides novel substituted pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I)

in which

-   R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, halogen,     nitro, cyano, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy,     alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkinyl, alkenyloxy,     halogenoalkenyloxy, alkinyloxy, halogenoalkinyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³,     —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, cycloalkyl; or     represent optionally substituted aryl, arylalkyl, saturated or     unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group     consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, -   R¹ and R² furthermore together represent alkylene or alkenylene,     where the carbon chain may be interrupted by 1 to 3 heteroatoms from     the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen and the resulting ring     for its part may optionally be substituted by halogen or alkyl, -   X represents halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, halogenoalkyl,     alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl,     alkinyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkinyloxy,     halogenoalkinyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶,     —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, saturated or     unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group     consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur;     -   or, if n represents 2, 3 or 4, two adjacent radicals X         furthermore together represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the         carbon chain may be interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms from the         group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen, -   n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with X representing identical or     different radicals if n represents 2, 3 or 4, -   Y represents a direct bond, oxygen, —S(O)_(p)— or —NR⁹—, -   p represents 0, 1 or 2, -   z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—,     —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—,     —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)— or     —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, -   r represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, -   t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, -   R represents the grouping

-    or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimetic), in     particular from the group consisting of

-   A represents oxygen, sulphur or NR¹⁵, -   E represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, —S-M or —NR¹⁷R¹⁸, -   M represents ammonium which is optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl     or arylalkyl or represents an alkali metal ion, -   M furthermore represents an alkaline earth metal ion, where in each     case two molecules of a compound form a salt with such an ion, -   R³ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl,     cycloalkylalkyl; or represents in each case optionally halogen-,     alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-,     halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, saturated or     unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4     heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and     sulphur, -   R⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl or     alkylcarbonyl, -   R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl,     halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl,     alkoxycarbonyl, oxamoyl, -   R⁴ and R⁵ furthermore together represent alkylidene; or represent     optionally halogen-, nitro-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-substituted     benzylidene; -   R⁴ and R⁵ furthermore together with the nitrogen atom to which they     are attached represent a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle which     may optionally contain a further nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom     and which may optionally be substituted by alkyl, -   R⁶ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl or arylalkyl, -   R⁷ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl,     cycloalkylalkyl, aryl or arylalkyl, -   R⁸ represents alkyl or halogenoalkyl, -   R⁹ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl,     cycloalkylalkyl; or represents in each case optionally halogen-,     alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-,     halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, saturated or     unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4     heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and     sulphur, -   R¹⁰ represents halogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl; or represents aryl or arylalkyl which     for their part may be substituted in the aryl moiety by halogen or     alkyl, -   R¹¹ represents hydrogen or alkyl, -   R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen,     hydroxyl, alkyl or alkoxy, -   R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl or halogenoalkyl, -   R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano or dialkylamino, -   R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents in each case optionally     halogen-, amino-, hydroxyl-, cyano-, nitro-, alkoxy-,     halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-,     alkenyloxycarbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-, alkenylcarbonyloxy-,     oxyalkyleneoxy-, oxetanyl-, dioxanyl-, oxazolidinyl-, dioxolanyl-,     aryloxy-, halogenoaryloxy-, —CONR⁴R⁵—, —NR⁴R⁵—, —ONR⁴R⁵—,     —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl; or represents in     each case optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-,     halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-,     alkylcarbonyloxy-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl,     cycloalkylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or     heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group     consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or represents —NR⁴R⁵ or     represents one of the radicals Q, -   R¹⁶ furthermore represents in each case optionally substituted aryl,     arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated     heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the     group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, where the     substituents may, in addition to those mentioned above, be selected     from the group consisting of hydroxyl and nitro, -   R¹⁷ represents hydrogen or alkyl, -   R¹⁸ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, alkyl, alkenyl; or     represents in each case optionally halogen-, hydroxyl-, alkyl-,     halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-,     halogenoalkylthio-, oxyalkyleneoxy-substituted cycloalkyl,     cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl     having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen,     oxygen and sulphur; or represents —S(O)_(p)R³, —OR¹⁴ or —NR⁴R⁵, -   R¹⁸ furthermore represents alkyl or alkenyl, each of which is     substituted by identical or different substituents from the group     consising of halogen, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, alkoxy,     halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkoxycarbonyl and     alkenyloxycarbonyl, -   R¹⁸ furthermore represents in each case optionally substituted     cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting     of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, where the substituents may, in     addition to those mentioned above, be selected from the group     consisting of nitro and alkoxycarbonyl, -   R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ furthermore together with the nitrogen atom to which     they are attached represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or     unsaturated heterocycle which may contain 1 to 2 further heteroatoms     from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur and which     may optionally be substituted by alkyl, -   Q represents one of the groupings below

-    where the radicals R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings if     two or more are present in the same heterocyclic grouping, -   m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the     side chain of a heterocyclic grouping may have identical or     different meanings if m represents 2 or 3, -   G represents oxygen or sulphur, -   R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen, alkyl     or together represent alkylene, -   R²¹ represents hydrogen, represents optionally alkylcarbonyloxy- or     alkoxy-substituted alkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, cyano-,     alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkylcarbonyl-, alkoxycarbonyl-,     alkylene-substituted aryl, -   R²² represents hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl, -   R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl

Depending on the type and number of substituents, the compounds of the formula (I) may, if appropriate, be present as geometrical and/or optical isomers or regioisomers or isomer mixtures thereof in varying compositions. What is claimed by the invention are both the pure isomers and the isomer mixtures. Furthermore, compounds of the formula (I) can, if appropriate, be present in various tautomeric forms, depending on the type and number of substituents. What is claimed by the invention are all tautomers.

The invention also claims all pyridine and/or pyrimidine N-oxides which can be formed by compounds of the formula (I). Furthermore, the invention claims all salts of compounds of the formula (I), for example with mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid.

Furthermore, it has been found

-   that pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-a)

-    in which -   R¹, R², X, n, Z and A have the meanings given above and -   E¹ represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶ or —NR¹⁷R¹⁸

are obtained by

-   A) reacting thiols of the formula (II)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X and n have the meanings given above     -   with halogen compounds of the formula (III)

-   -    in which     -   Z, A and E¹ have the meanings given above and     -   Hal¹ represents halogen     -   if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate         in the presence of an acid binder, or

-   B) reacting halogenopyrimidines of the formula (IV)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², Z, A and E¹ have the meanings given above and     -   Hal² represents halogen     -   with pyridine compounds of the formula (V)

-   -    in which     -   X and n have the meanings given above and     -   L represents Sn(alkyl)₃, Sn(aryl)₃, ZnBr or ZnCl,     -   if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and in the presence         of a catalyst, or

-   C) that pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-b)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Z and A have the meanings given above and     -   E² represents —NR¹⁷R¹⁸

are obtained by

-   -   treating pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-c)

-   -    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Z and A have the meanings given above and     -   E³ represents —OR¹⁶, where R¹⁶ has the meanings given above,     -   in, a first step, if appropriate in the presence of a diluent,         with a base and reacting the resulting compound of the formula         (I-d)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Z and A have the meanings given above     -   in a second step with amines of the formula (VI)         HNR¹⁷R¹⁸  (VI)     -   in which     -   R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ have the meanings given above,     -   if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and in the presence         of a water-absorbing reagent, or -   D) that pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-e)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Z and R have the meanings given above and     -   Y¹ represents —SO— or —SO₂—     -   are obtained by     -   oxidizing pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-f)

-   -    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Z and R have the meanings given above,     -   with an oxidizing agent, if appropriate in the presence of a         diluent, if appropriate in the presence of an acid binder and if         appropriate in the presence of a catalyst, or

-   E) that pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-g)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Z and R⁹ have the meanings given above and     -   R^(a) represents one of the groupings below

-   -    in which     -   R¹⁴ has the meanings given above

are obtained by

-   -   reacting methylsulphonylpyrimidines of the formula (VII)

-   -    in which     -   R¹, R², X and n have the meanings given above,     -   with amines of the formula (VIII)

-   -    in which     -   Z, R⁹ and R^(a) have the meanings given above,     -   if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate         in the presence of a base, or

-   F) that pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-h)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Z and R^(a) have the meanings given above,

are obtained by

-   -   reacting methylsulphonylpyrimidines of the formula (VII)

-   -    in which     -   R¹, R², X and n have the meanings given above     -   with hydroxyl compounds of the formula (IX)         HO-Z-R^(a)  (IX)     -   in which     -   Z and R^(a) have the meanings given above,     -   if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate         in the presence of a base, or

-   G) that pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-i)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Z and R^(a) have the meanings given above     -   are obtained by     -   reacting pyridine derivatives of the formula (X)

-   -    in which     -   X and n have the meanings given above,     -   or pyridine-derivatives of the formula (XI)

-   -    in which     -   R¹, R², X and n have the meanings given above,     -   with amidines of the formula (XII)

-   -    in which     -   Z and R^(a) have the meanings given above,     -   if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate         in the presence of a base, or

-   H) that pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-j)

-   -    in which     -   Y² represents a direct bond, oxygen, sulphur or —NR⁹—,     -   E⁴ represents —O-M or —S-M and     -   R¹, R², X, n, Z, A and M have the meanings given above,

are obtained by

-   -   reacting pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-k)

-   -    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Y², Z and A have the meanings given above,     -   with hydroxides of the formula (XIII)         M OH—  (XIII)     -    in which     -   M has the meanings given above,     -   if appropriate in the presence of a diluent, or

-   J) that pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-l)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Y and Z have the meanings given above and     -   R^(b) represents one of the groupings below

-   -    in which R¹⁴ has the meanings given above     -   are obtained by     -   reacting nitrites of the formula (XIV)

-   -    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n and Z have the meanings given above     -   with trialkyltin azides, if appropriate in the presence of a         diluent, or

-   K) that pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-m)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Y² and Z have the meanings given above,     -   are obtained by     -   hydrogenating pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-n)

-   -    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Y² and Z have the meanings given above,     -   if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and in the presence         of a catalyst, or

-   L) that pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-o)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Y² and Z have the meanings given above,     -   are obtained by     -   reacting keto compounds of the formula (XV)

-   -    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Y² and Z have the meanings given above,     -   with ammonium carbonate and potassium cyanide, if appropriate in         the presence of a diluent.

Finally, it has been found that the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention have very good insecticidal properties and can be used both in crop protection and in the protection of materials for controlling undesirable pests such as insects. Hitherto, nothing has been disclosed in the prior art about any insecticidal activity of pyridylpyrimidines.

The formula (I) provides a general definition of the pyridylpyrimidines according to the invention.

-   R¹ and R² independently of one another preferably represent     hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl,     C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio,     C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkinyl,     C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-halogenoalkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-alkinyloxy,     C₂-C₆-halogenoalkinyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶,     —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl; or represent aryl,     aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl or 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated     heterocyclyl which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2     nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms,     each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by     identical or different substituents from the group consisting of     halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy and     C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy. -   R¹ and R² furthermnore together preferably represent C₃-C₅-alkylene     or C₃-C₄-alkenylene, where the carbon chain may be interrupted by 1     or 2 heteroatoms including 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms and/or 0 or 1     oxygen atom, and where the resulting ring for its part may     optionally be mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different     substituents from the group consisting of halogen and C₁-C₆-alkyl. -   X preferably represents halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl,     C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy,     C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio,     C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkinyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy,     C₂-C₆-halogenoalkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-alkinyloxy,     C₂-C₆-halogenoalkinyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶,     —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, 5- or     6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl which contains 0 to     4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2     nonadjacent sulphur atoms,     -   or, if n represents 2 or 3, two adjacent radicals X furthermore         together preferably represent C₃-C₅-alkylene or         C₃-C₄-alkenylene, where the carbon chain may be interrupted by 1         or 2 heteroatoms including 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms and/or 0 or 1         oxygen atom. -   n preferably represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, with X representing identical     or different radicals if n reprsents 2 or 3. -   Y preferably represents a direct bond, oxygen, —S(O)_(p)— or —NR⁹—. -   p preferably represents 0, 1 or 2. -   Z preferably represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—,     —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—,     —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)— or     —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—. -   r preferably represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. -   t and w independently of one another preferably represent 0, 1, 2, 3     or 4. -   R preferably represents the grouping

-    or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimetic), in     particular from the group consisting of

-   A preferably represents oxygen, sulphur or NR¹⁵. -   E preferably represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, —S-M or —NR¹⁷R¹⁸. -   M preferably represents ammonium which is optionally mono- to     tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents from the     group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl, aryl and aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, or     represents a lithium cation (Li⁺), a sodium cation (Na⁺) or a     potassium cation (K⁺). -   M furthermore preferably represents a magnesium cation (Mg²⁺) or a     calcium cation (Ca²⁺), where in each case two molecules of a     compound form a salt with such an ion. -   R³ preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl,     C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl; or represents aryl,     aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated     heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0     to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2     nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally     mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from     the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl,     C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio and     C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio. -   R⁴ preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl,     C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl. -   R⁵ preferably represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl,     C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkinyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,     C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl,     C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, oxamoyl. -   R⁴ and R⁵ furthermore together preferably represent     C₁-C₆-alkylidene; or represent benzylidene which is optionally mono-     or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the     group consisting of halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkyl and     C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl. -   R⁴ and R⁵ furthermore together with the nitrogen atom to which they     are attached preferably represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or     unsaturated heterocyle which may optionally contain a further     nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and which may optionally be mono-     or polysubstituted by identical or different C₁-C₆-alkyl. -   R⁶ preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl     or aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl. -   R⁷ preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl,     C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, aryl or     aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl. -   R⁸ preferably represents C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl. -   R⁹ preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl,     C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl; or represents aryl,     aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated     heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0     to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2     nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally     mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from     the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl,     C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio and     C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio. -   R¹⁰ preferably represents halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl,     C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl; or represents aryl or aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl     which for their part may be mono- or polysubstituted in the aryl     moiety by identical or different substitutents from the group     consisting of halogen and C₁-C₆-alkyl. -   R¹¹ preferably represents hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl. -   R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another preferably represent     hydrogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₁-C₆-alkoxy. -   R¹⁴ preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or     C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl. -   R¹⁵ preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, cyano     or di(C₁-C₆-alkyl)amino. -   R¹⁶ preferably represents hydrogen; represents C₁-C₁₆-alkyl,     C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkinyl, each of which is optionally mono- or     polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the     group consisting of halogen, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro,     C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio,     C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl,     C₂-C₆-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy,     C₂-C₆-alkenylcarbonyloxy, oxy(C₁-C₆-alkylene)oxy, oxetanyl,     dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, aryloxy, halogenoaryloxy,     —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵ and —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴; or represents aryl,     aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, 4-     to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or     heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen     atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent     sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or     polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the     group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl,     C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio,     C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl and     C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy; or represents —NR⁴R⁵ or represents one of     the radicals Q. -   R¹⁶ furthermore preferably represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl,     C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, 4- to 6-membered     saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl,     each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent     oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which     radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or     different substituents, where the substitutents may, in addition to     those mentioned above, be selected from the group consisting of     hydroxyl and nitro. -   R¹⁷ preferably represents hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl. -   R¹⁸ preferably represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, C₁-C₆-alkyl,     C₂-C₆-alkenyl; or represents C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen     atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent     sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or     polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the     group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl,     C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy,     C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio and oxy(C₁-C₆-alkylene)oxy;     or represents —S(O)_(p)R³, —OR¹⁴ or —NR⁴R⁵. -   R¹⁸ furthermore preferably represents C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₂-C₆-alkenyl,     each of which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or     different substituents from the group consisting of halogen, amino,     hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy,     C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl and     C₂-C₆-alkenyloxycarbonyl. -   R¹⁸ furthermore preferably represents C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen     atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent     sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or     polysubstituted by identical or different substituents where the     substituents may, in addition to those mentioned above, be selected     from the group consisting of nitro and C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl. -   R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ furthermore together with the nitrogen atom to which     they are attached preferably represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated     or unsaturated heterocycle which may contain 1 or 2 further     heteroatoms including 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms, 0 or 1 oxygen atom     and/or 0 or 1 sulphur atom, and which may optionally be mono- or     polysubstituted by identical or different C₁-C₆-alkyl. -   Q preferably represents one of the groupings below

-    where the radicals R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings if     two or more are present in the same heterocyclic grouping. -   m preferably represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the repeat unit     —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping may have     identical or different meanings if m represents 2 or 3. -   G preferably represents oxygen or sulphur. -   R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another preferably represent     hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or together represent C₂-C₄-alkylene. -   R²¹ preferably represents hydrogen, represents C₁-C₆-alkyl which is     optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different     substituents from the group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy and     C₁-C₆-alkoxy; or represents aryl which is optionally mono- or     polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the     group consisting of halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆-alkyl,     C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxycarbonyl and     C₃-C₅-alkylene. -   R²² preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or     C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl. -   R²³ preferably represents hydrogen, amino, C₁-C₆-alkyl or     C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl. -   R¹ and R² independently of one another particularly preferably     represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano,     C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine     and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to     9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio,     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or     bromine atoms, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkinyl, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵,     —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl; or     represent aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered saturated or     unsaturated heterocyclyl which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to     2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms,     each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by     identical or different substituents from the group consisting of     fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having     1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine     atoms. -   R¹ and R² furthermore together particularly preferably represent     C₃-C₅-alkylene or C₃-C₄-alkenylene, where the carbon chain may be     interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms including 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms     and/or 0 or 1 oxygen atom and where the resulting ring for its part     may optionally be mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or     different substituents from the group consisting of fluorine,     chlorine, bromine and C₁-C₄-alkyl. -   X particularly preferably represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine,     nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to     9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy,     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine     atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9     fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₂-C₄-alkenyl,     C₂-C₄-alkinyl, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵,     —NHCO₂R⁸, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered     saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen     atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent     sulphur atoms.     -   or, if n represents 2, two adjacent radicals X furthermore         together particularly preferably represent C₃-C₄-alkylene or         C₃-C₄-alkenylene, where the carbon chain may be interrupted by 1         or 2 heteroatoms including 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms and/or 0 or 1         oxygen atom. -   n particularly preferably represents 0, 1 or 2, with X representing     identical or different radicals if n represents 2. -   Y particularly preferably represents a direct bond, oxygen,     —S(O)_(p)— or —NR⁹—. -   p particularly preferably represents 0, 1 or 2. -   Z particularly preferably represents —(CH₂)_(r)—,     —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—,     —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—,     —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)— or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—. -   r particularly preferably represents 1, 2, 3 or 4. -   t and w independently of one another particularly preferably     represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. -   R particularly preferably represents the grouping

-    or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimetic), in     particular from the group consisting of

-   A particularly preferably represents oxygen or sulphur. -   E particularly preferably represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, —S-M or     —NR¹⁷R¹⁸. -   M particularly preferably represents ammonium which is optionally     mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents     from the group consisting of C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl, benzyl and     phenylethyl or represents a sodium cation (Na⁺) or a potassium     cation (K⁺). -   M furthermore particularly preferably represents a magnesium cation     (Mg²⁺) or a calcium cation (Ca²⁺), where in each case two molecules     of a compound form a salt with such an ion. -   R³ particularly preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine     atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl; or represents     aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated     heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, which contain 0 to 3     nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2     nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally     mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents     from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine,     C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine     and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to     9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio and     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or     bromine atoms. -   R⁴ particularly preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine     atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl. -   R⁵ particularly preferably represents hydrogen, amino, formyl,     C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkinyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl     having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms,     C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, oxamoyl. -   R⁴ and R⁵ furthermore together particularly preferably represent     C₁-C₄-alkylidene; or represent benzylidene which is optionally mono-     to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents from the     group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl     and C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or     bromine atoms. -   R⁴ and R⁵ furthermore together with the nitrogen atom to which they     are attached particularly preferably represent a 5- or 6-membered     saturated or unsaturated heterocycle which may optionally contain a     further nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and which may optionally be     mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different C₁-C₄-alkyl. -   R⁶ particularly preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine     atoms or aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl. -   R⁷ particularly preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine     atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, aryl or     aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl. -   R⁸ particularly preferably represents C₁-C₄-alkyl or     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine     atoms. -   R⁹ particularly preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine     atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl; or represents     aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated     heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, which contain 0 to 3     nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2     nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally     mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents     from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine,     C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine     and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to     9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio and     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or     bromine atoms. -   R¹⁰ particularly preferably represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine,     iodine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl,     C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl; or represents aryl     or aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl which for their part may be mono- to     tetrasubstituted in the aryl moiety by identical or different     substituents from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine,     bromine and C₁-C₄-alkyl. -   R¹¹ particularly preferably represents hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl. -   R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another particularly preferably     represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy. -   R¹⁴ particularly preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl or     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine     atoms. -   R¹⁵ particularly preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy, cyano or di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino. -   R¹⁶ particularly preferably represents hydrogen; represents     C₁-C₆-alkyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl,     decenyl, C₂-C₄-alkinyl, each of which is optionally mono- to     tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents from the     group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl,     cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9     fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio,     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or     bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyloxycarbonyl,     C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy, C₂-C₄-alkenylcarbonyloxy,     oxy(C₁-C₄-alkylene)oxy, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl,     dioxolanyl, aryloxy, halogenoaryloxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵ and     —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 4- to 6-membered     saturated or unsaturated, heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl,     each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent     oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms; each of which     radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or     different substitutents from the group consisting of fluorine,     chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9     fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy,     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine     atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9     fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl and     C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy; or represents one of the radicals Q. -   R¹⁶ furthermore particularly preferably represents C₁-C₆-alkyl,     decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, decenyl,     C₂-C₄-alkinyl, each of which is optionally substituted up to the     maximum possible number by identical or different substituents from     the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine and bromine. -   R¹⁶ furthermore particularly preferably represents aryl,     aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 4-     to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated, heterocyclyl or     heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen     atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent     sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to     tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents, where the     substituents may, in addition to those mentioned above, be selected     from the group consisting of hydroxyl and nitro. -   R¹⁷ particularly preferably represents hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl. -   R¹⁸ particularly preferably represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino,     C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyl; or represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroaryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen     atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent     sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to     tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents from the     group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl,     C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine     and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to     9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio,     C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or     bromine atoms and oxy(C₁-C₄-alkylene)oxy; or represents —S(O)_(p)R³,     —OR¹⁴ or —NR⁴R⁵. -   R¹⁸ furthermore particularly preferably represents C₁-C₄-alkyl or     C₂-C₄-alkenyl, each of which is mono- to tetrasubstituted by     identical or different substituents from the group consisting of     fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine     and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio     having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms,     C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl and C₂-C₄-alkenyloxycarbonyl; or represents     C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₂-C₄-alkenyl, each of which is optionally     substituted up to the maximum possible number by identical or     different substituents from the group consisting of fluorine,     chlorine and bromine. -   R¹⁸ furthermore particularly preferably represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroaryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen     atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent     sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or     tetrasubstituted by identical or different radicals, where the     substituents may, in addition to those mentioned, be selected from     the group consisting of nitro and C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl. -   R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ furthermore together with the nitrogen atom to which     they are attached particularly preferably represent a 5- or     6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocycle which may contain 1     or 2 further heteroatoms including 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms, 0 or 1     oxygen atom and/or 0 or 1 sulphur atom, and which may be optionally     mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different C₁-C₄-alkyl. -   Q particularly preferably represents one of the groupings below

-    where the radicals R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings if     two or more of them are present in the same heterocyclic grouping. -   m particularly preferably represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the repeat     unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping may have     the same or different meanings if m represents 2 or 3. -   G particularly preferably represents oxygen or sulphur. -   R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another particularly preferably     represent hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl or together represent     C₂-C₃-alkylene. -   R²¹ particularly preferably represents hydrogen, represents     C₁-C₄-alkyl which is optionally mono- or disubstituted by identical     or different substituents from the group consisting of     C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy and C₁-C₄-alkoxy; or represents aryl which is     optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different     substituents from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine,     bromine, cyano, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9     fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl,     C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl and C₃-C₅-alkylene. -   R²² particularly preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl or     C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl. -   R²³ particularly preferably represents hydrogen, amino, C₁-C₄-alkyl     or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl. -   R¹ and R² independently of one another very particularly preferably     represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano,     methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl,     tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F,     —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H,     —CF₂CHFCF₃, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy,     trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, —SCF₃, —SCHF₂, —SO₂Me,     —SO₂CHF₂, —SO₂CF₃, —SOCHF₂, —SOCF₃, —COMe, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, amino,     cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl; represent phenyl, benzyl, pyridinyl, furyl,     furfuryl, each of which is optionally substituted by chlorine,     bromine, methyl; ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl,     trifluoromethoxy. -   R¹ and R² furthermore together very particularly preferably     represent propylene, butylene, propenylene or butadienylene,     —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—NH—CH₂—, —CH═CH—N═CH—, —CH═CCl—CH═CH—. -   X very particularly preferably represents fluorine, chlorine,     bromine, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,     n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂,     —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃,     —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H, —CF₂CHFCF₃, methoxy, ethoxy,     n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy,     —OCH₂CF₃, —SCF₃, —SCHF₂, —SO₂Me, —SO₂CHF₂, —SO₂CF₃, —SOCHF₂, —SOCF₃,     —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, amino, —NHMe, —NMe₂, —CHO, —COMe, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et,     —NHCOMe, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, furyl, thienyl,     pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl, imidazyl, pyrazyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl,     pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl, triazinyl, triazyl; or, if n represents 2,     two adjacent radicals X furthermore together very particularly     preferably represent propylene, butylene, propenylene or     butadienylene, —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—NH—CH₂—, —CH═CH—N═CH—. -   X furthermore very particularly preferably represents methylthio,     ethylthio, n-propylthio, isopropylthio. -   n very particularly preferably represents 0, 1 or 2, with X     representing identical or different radicals if n represents 2. -   Y very particularly preferably represents a direct bond, oxygen,     —S(O)_(p)— or —NR⁹—. -   p very particularly preferably represents 0, 1 or 2. -   Z very particularly preferably represents —CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₃—,     —(CH₂)₄—, —(CHR¹⁰)—, —CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—NH—, —CH═CH—, —CH₂—CH═CH—,     —CH═C(OH)—, —CH═C(OMe)—, —CH₂—C(OMe)═CH—. -   Z furthermore very particularly preferably represents     —CH₂—C(OEt)═CH—. -   R very particularly preferably represents the grouping

-    or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimetic), in     particular from the group consisting of

-   A very particularly preferably represents oxygen or sulphur. -   E very particularly preferably represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M or     —NR¹⁷R¹⁸. -   M very particularly preferably represents tetrabutylammonium,     trimethylbenzylammonium or represents a sodium cation (Na⁺) or a     potassium cation (K⁺). -   M furthermore very particularly preferably represents a magnesium     cation (Mg²⁺) or a calcium cation (Ca²⁺), where in each case two     molecules of a compound form a salt with such an ion. -   R⁴ very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl,     n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl,     —COMe. -   R⁵ very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, amino, formyl,     methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl,     tert-butyl, vinyl, propargyl, methoxy, methoxymethyl, —COMe, —COEt,     tert-butoxycarbonyl, oxamoyl. -   R⁴ and R⁵ furthermore together very particularly preferably     represent ethylidene, isopropylidene, sec-butylidene,     nitrobenzylidene. -   R⁴ and R⁵ furthermore together with the nitrogen atom to which they     are attached very particularly preferably represent a 5- or     6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocycle from the group     consisting of morpholine, piperidine, thiomorpholine, pyrrolidine,     tetrahydropyridine, which may optionally be mono- or disubstituted     by methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl,     tert-butyl. -   R⁸ very particularly preferably represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,     isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃,     —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃,     —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H or represents —CF₂CHFCF₃. -   R⁹ very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl,     n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl,     —CH₂CF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl or     cyclohexyl. -   R¹⁰ very particularly preferably represents fluorine, chlorine,     bromine, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl,     isobutyl, tert-butyl, —COMe, —COEt, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, cyclohexyl;     phenyl or benzyl, which for their part may be mono- to     tetrasubstituted in the aryl moiety by identical or different     substituents from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine,     bromine and methyl. -   R¹¹ very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl,     n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl. -   R¹⁴ very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl,     n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl or tert-butyl. -   R¹⁵ very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl,     n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl or     cyano. -   R¹⁶ very particularly preferably represents hydrogen; represents     methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl,     tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, siamyl, hexyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl,     n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl, 2-isopentenyl,     hexenyl, n-decenyl, ethinyl, propinyl, butinyl, each of which is     optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different     substituents from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine,     bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy,     trifluoromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, trichloromethoxy, difluoromethoxy,     methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl,     isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, methylcarbonyloxy,     vinylcarbonyloxy, —O—(CH₂)₂—O—, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl,     dioxolanyl, phenoxy, fluorophenoxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵ and     —CH═N—OCH₃; or represents phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, cyclopropyl,     cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropylmethyl,     cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl,     cyclopropylethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclopentylethyl,     cyclohexylethyl, oxetanyl, oxazolanyl, dioxanyl, dioxolanyl, furyl,     thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl, imidazolyl, pyrazyl,     thiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl, triazinyl, triazolyl,     tetrahydropyranyl, thietanyl, thietane dioxide, oxetanylmethyl,     oxazolanylmethyl, dioxanylmethyl, dioxolanylmethyl, furylmethyl,     thienylmethyl, pyrrolylmethyl, oxazolylmethyl, isoxazylmethyl,     imidazolylmethyl, pyrazylmethyl, thiazolylmethyl, pyridinylmethyl,     pyrimidinylmethyl, pyridazylmethyl, triazinylmethyl,     triazolylmethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, thietanylmethyl, thietane     dioxide methyl, oxetanylethyl, oxazolanylethyl, dioxanylethyl,     dioxolanylethyl, furylethyl, thienylethyl, pyrrolylethyl,     oxazolylethyl, isoxazylethyl, imidazolylethyl, pyrazylethyl,     thiazolylethyl, pyridinylethyl, pyrimidinylethyl, pyridazylethyl,     triazinylethyl, triazolylethyl, tetrahydropyranylethyl,     thietanylethyl, thietane dioxide ethyl; each of which is optionally     mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents from     the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl,     n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃,     —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃,     —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H, —CF₂CHFCF₃,     methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy,     trichloromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et,     methylcarbonyloxy and ethylcarbonyloxy; or represents one of the     radicals Q. -   R¹⁶ furthermore very particularly preferably represents methyl,     ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl,     tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, siamyl, hexyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl,     n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl, 2-isopentenyl,     hexenyl, n-decenyl, ethinyl, propinyl, butinyl, each of which is     optionally substituted up to the maximum possible number by     identical or different radicals from the group consisting of     fluorine, chlorine and bromine. -   R¹⁶ furthermore very particularly preferably represents phenyl,     benzyl, phenylethyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl,     cyclohexyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl,     cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclobutylethyl,     cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylethyl, oxetanyl, oxazolanyl, dioxanyl,     dioxolanyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl,     imidazolyl, pyrazyl, thiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl,     triazinyl, triazolyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thietanyl, thietane     dioxide, oxetanylmethyl, oxazolanylmethyl, dioxanylmethyl,     dioxolanylmethyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl, pyrrolylmethyl,     oxazolylmethyl, isoxazylmethyl, imidazolylmethyl, pyrazylmethyl,     thiazolylmethyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyrimidinylmethyl,     pyridazylmethyl, triazinylmethyl, triazolylmethyl,     tetrahydropyranylmethyl, thietanylmethyl, thietane dioxide methyl,     oxetanylethyl, oxazolanylethyl, dioxanylethyl, dioxolanylethyl,     furylethyl, thienylethyl, pyrrolylethyl, oxazolylethyl,     isoxazylethyl, imidazolylethyl, pyrazylethyl, thiazolylethyl,     pyridinylethyl, pyrimidinylethyl, pyridazylethyl, triazinylethyl,     triazolylethyl, tetrahydropyranylethyl, thietanylethyl, thietane     dioxide ethyl, each of which is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted     by identical or different substituents, where the substituents may,     in addition to those mentioned above, also be selected from the     group consisting of hydroxyl and nitro. -   R¹⁷ very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, methyl or     ethyl. -   R¹⁸ very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, hydroxyl,     amino, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl,     isobutyl, tert-butyl, vinyl, allyl; or represents cyclopropyl,     cyclopropylmethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl,     pyridinyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyridinylethyl, furyl, furfuryl, each of     which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or     different substituents from the group consisting of fluorine,     chlorine, hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,     sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl,     methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio     and —O—CH₂—O—; or represents —SO₂Me, —SO₂Et or —NR⁴R⁵. -   R¹⁸ furthermore very particularly preferably represents methyl,     ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl,     tert-butyl, vinyl, allyl, each of which is optionally mono- to     trisubstituted by identical or different substituents from the group     consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano,     nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃,     trichloromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio,     methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl and     tert-butoxycarbonyl; or represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,     isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, vinyl, allyl,     each of which is optionally substituted up to the maximum possible     number by identical or different substituents from the group     consisting of fluorine, chlorine and bromine. -   R¹⁸ furthermore very particularly preferably represents cyclopropyl,     cyclopropylmethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl,     pyridinyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyridinylethyl, furyl, furfuryl, each of     which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or     different substituents, where the substituents may, in addition to     those mentioned above, also be selected from the group consisting of     nitro, methoxycarbonyl and ethoxycarbonyl. -   R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ furthermore together with the nitrogen atom to which     they are attached very particularly preferably represent a 5- or     6-membered saturated heterocycle from the group consisting of     piperazine, morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, which may     optionally be mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different     substituents from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl     and isopropyl. -   Q very particularly preferably represents one of the groupings below

-    where the radicals R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings if     two or more of them are present in the same heterocyclic grouping. -   m very particularly preferably represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the     repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping     may have the same or different meanings if m represents 2 or 3. -   G very particularly preferably represents oxygen or sulphur. -   R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another very particularly     preferably represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,     n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, or together represent     —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃—. -   R²¹ very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, represents     methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl,     tert-butyl, each of which is optionally monosubstituted by     tert-butylcarbonyloxy or methoxy; or represents phenyl which is     optionally mono- or disubstituted by identical or different     substituents from the group consisting of chlorine, cyano, methyl,     ethyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethyl, sec-butyloxycarbonyl,     tert-butyloxycarbonyl, n-octyloxycarbonyl and —(CH₂)₄—. -   R²² very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl     or methoxymethyl. -   R²³ very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, amino, methyl,     ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or methoxymethyl.

Especially very particularly preferred are pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-p)

in which

-   R¹, R², X, n, p, Z and R have the meanings given above.

Especially very particularly preferred are pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-q)

in which

-   R¹, R², X, n, Z, R and R⁹ have the meanings given above.

Especially very particularly preferred are pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-r)

in which

-   R¹, R², X, n, Z and R have the meanings given above.

Especially very particularly preferred are pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-s)

in which

-   R¹, R², X, n, Z and R have the meanings given above.

Especially very particularly preferred are pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-t)

in which

-   X represents methyl, ethyl, chlorine, bromine, —CF₃, methoxy or     trifluoromethoxy, -   n represents 0, 1 or 2, with X representing identical or different     radicals if n represents 2, -   Y represents —S— or —NR⁹—, -   Z represents —CH₂— or —(CH₂)₂—, -   E represents hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy,     n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, —NH—SO₂Me or     —NH—SO₂Et, -   R⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl or ethyl.

Saturated hydrocarbon radicals such as alkyl can in each case be straight-chain or branched as far as this is possible, including in combination with heteroatoms, such as, for example, in alkoxy.

However, it is also possible to combine the abovementioned general or preferred radical definitions or illustrations with one another as desired, i.e. between the respective ranges and preferred ranges. The definitions apply both to the end products and, correspondingly, to the precursors and intermediates.

Using 4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinylthiol and isopropyl 2-chloroacetate as starting materials, the course of process (A) according to the invention can be illustrated by the equation below.

Using ethyl [(4-bromo-6-methyl-2-pyrimidinyl)thio]acetate, 2-(tributylstannyl)-pyridine and a palladium catalyst as starting materials, the course of process (B) according to the invention can be illustrated by the equation below.

Using isopropyl {[4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]thio}acetate as starting material and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and triethylamine as reaction auxiliaries, the course of the process (C) according to the invention can be illustrated by the equation below.

Using methyl {[4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]thio}acetate as starting material and meta-chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA) as oxidizing agent, the course of process (D) according to the invention can be illustrated by the equation below.

Using 2-(methylsulphonyl)-4-(2-pyridinyl)pyrimidine and ethyl glycinate as starting materials, the course of the process (E) according to the invention can be illustrated by the equation below.

Using 2-(methylsulphonyl)-4-(2-pyridinyl)pyrimidine and ethyl glycolate as starting materials, the course of process (F) according to the invention can be illustrated by the equation below.

Using 3-(dimethylamino)-1-(2-pyridinyl)-2-propen-1-one and methyl 2-amino-2-iminoethylcarbamate as starting materials, the course of the process (G) according to the invention can be illustrated by the equation below.

Using {[4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]thio}acetic acid and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide as starting materials, the course of the process (H) according to the invention can be illustrated by the equation below.

Using {[4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]thio }acetonitrile and trimethyltin azide as starting materials, the course of process (J) according to the invention can be illustrated by the equation below.

Using 1 -benzyl-3-({[4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]thio}methyl)-2,5-pyrrolidinedione and hydrogen as starting materials and palladium/activated carbon as catalyst, the course of the process (K) according to the invention can be illustrated by the equation below.

Using 1-{[4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]thio}acetone, potassium cyanide and ammonium carbonate as starting materials, the course of the process (L) according to the invention can be illustrated by the formula scheme below.

Explanation of the Processes and Intermediates Process (A)

The formula (II) provides a general definition of the thiols required as starting materials for carrying out the process (A) according to the invention. In this formula, R¹, R², X and n preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals.

The thiols of the formula (II-a)

in which

-   R¹, R², X and n have the meanings given above, with the proviso that     at least one of the radicals R¹, R² and X does not represent     hydrogen,     are novel. They can be prepared by -   a) reacting pyridine derivatives of the formula (X)

-    in which     -   X and n have the meanings given above     -   with thiourea, if appropriate in the presence of a diluent (for         example methanol, water) and if appropriate in the presence of a         base (for example sodium hydroxide, sodium ethoxide), or -   b) reacting pyridine derivatives of the formula (XI)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X and n have the meanings given above     -   with thiourea, if appropriate in the presence of a diluent (for         example methanol, water) and if appropriate in the presence of a         base (for example sodium hydroxide, sodium ethoxide) or an acid         (for example hydrochloric acid or trifluoroacetic acid).

The formulae (X) and (XI) provide general definitions of the pyridine derivatives required as starting materials for carrying out the processes (a) and (b). In these formulae, R¹, R², X and n preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I), according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals.

Pyridine derivatives of the formulae (X) and (XI) are known and/or can be prepared by known processes (cf. J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 1999, 3095, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1951, 73, 5614).

The formula (III) provides a general definition of the halogen compounds required as starting materials for carrying out the process (A) according to the invention. In this formula, Z and A preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals. E¹ preferably represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶ or —NR¹⁷R¹⁸, particularly preferably —OR¹⁶ or —SR¹⁶, where R¹⁶, R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ each preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals. Hal¹ preferably represents chlorine, bromine or iodine, particularly preferably chlorine or bromine.

Halogen compounds of the formula (III) are known and can be prepared by known processes.

Suitable diluents for carrying out the process (A) according to the invention are in each case all customary inert organic solvents. Preference is given to using optionally halogenated aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbons, such as petroleum ether, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene or decalin; chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dichloroethane or trichloroethane; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl tert-amyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane or anisole; nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or isobutyronitrile or benzonitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylformanilide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric triamide; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate; sulphoxides, such as dimethyl sulphoxide; or sulphones, such as sulpholane. Particular preference is given to using acetonitrile or dimethylformamide.

Suitable acid binders for carrying out the process (A) according to the invention are in each case all inorganic and organic bases which are customary for such reactions. Preference is given to using alkaline earth metal or alkali metal hydroxides, such as sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or else ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal hydrides, such as sodium hydride, alkali metal carbonates, such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal acetates, such as sodium acetate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate, and also tertiary amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, tributylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, pyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, diazabicyclooctane (DABCO), diazabicyclononene (DBN) or diazabicycloundecene (DBU). Particular preference is given to using alkali metal carbonates or hydrides, very particularly preferably potassium carbonate.

When carrying out the process (A) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can in each case be varied within a relatively wide range. In general, the process is carried out at temperatures between −20° C. and 200° C., preferably between 0° C. and 150° C., very particularly preferably between 20° C. and 100° C.

When carrying out the process (A) according to the invention, in general 1 mol or a slight excess of the compound of the formula (III) and 1-10 mol of acid binder are employed per mole of the compound of the formula (II). However, it is also possible to employ the reaction components in other ratios. Work-up is carried out by customary methods. In general, the reaction mixture is concentrated and extracted and the organic phase is washed, dried, filtered and concentrated. The residue is, if required, freed from any impurities that may still be present using customary methods, such as chromatography or recrystallization.

Process (B)

The formula (IV) provides a general definition of the halogenopyrimidines required as starting materials for carrying out the process (B) according to the invention In this formula, R¹, R², Z and A preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred,. etc. for these radicals. E¹ preferably represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶ or —NR¹⁷R¹⁸, particularly preferably —OR¹⁶ or —SR¹⁶, where R¹⁶, R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ each preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals. Hal² preferably represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, particularly preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine, very particularly preferably chlorine or bromine.

Some of the halogenopyrimidines of the formula (IV) are known, and/or can be prepared by known processes (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,910).

Halogenopyrimidines of the formula (IV-a)

in which

-   -   a) E¹ represents methoxy or ethoxy and     -   Hal² represents bromine, or     -   b) E¹ represents methoxy and     -   Hal² represents chlorine,         are novel.

The formula (V) provides a general definition of the pyridine compounds required as starting materials for carrying out the process (B) according to the invention. In this formula, X and n preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals. L preferably represents Sn(n-Bu)₃, Sn(Me)₃, Sn(phenyl)₃, ZnBr or ZnCl, particularly preferably Sn(n-Bu)₃, Sn(Me)₃, Sn(phenyl)₃ or ZnBr, very particularly preferably Sn(n-Bu)₃, Sn(Me)₃ or ZnBr.

Pyridine compounds of the formula (V) are known and/or can be prepared by known processes.

Suitable diluents for carrying out the process (B) according to the invention are in each case all customary inert organic solvents. Preference is given using optionally halogenated aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbons, such as petroleum ether, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene or decalin; chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dichloroethane or trichloroethane; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, methyl tert-amyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane or anisole; nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or isobutyronitrile or benzonitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylformanilide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric triamide. Particular preference is given to using aromatic hydrocarbons, very particularly preferably benzene, toluene or xylene.

When carrying out the process (B) according to the invention, in general a palladium catalyst is employed which for its part can be used with or without addition of further ligands. The catalyst used is preferably PdCl₂(dppf) [dppf=1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene], Pd(PPh₃)₄, PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂, PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂, Pd₂(dba)₃ [dba=dibenzylideneacetone] or Pd(OAc)₂, particularly preferably PdCl₂(dppf), Pd(PPh₃)₄, PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂, or Pd(OAc)₂, very particularly preferably PdCl₂(dppf) or Pd(PPh₃)₄.

Suitable ligands are triarylphosphines, trialkylphosphines or arsines. Preference is given to using dppf, PPh₃, P(t-Bu)₃, Pcy₃ or AsPh₃, particularly preferably dppf.

When carrying out the process (B) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can be varied within a relatively wide range. In general, the process is carried out at temperatures between −20° C. and 200° C., preferably between 0° C. and 150° C.

When carrying out the process (B) according to the invention, in general 1 mol or a slight excess of the compound of the formula (V) and 1-5 mol % of catalyst are employed per mole of the compound of the formula (IV). However, it is also possible to employ the reaction components in other ratios. Work-up is carried out by customary methods. In general, the reaction mixture is concentrated and the crude product is freed from any impurities that may be present using customary methods such as chromatography or recrystallization.

Process (C)

The formula (I-c) provides a general definition of the pyridylpyrimidines required as starting materials for carrying out the process (C) according to the invention. In this formula, R¹, R², X, n, Z and A preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals. E³ preferably represents —OR¹⁶, where R¹⁶ preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals.

The pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-c) fall under the definition of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention and are prepared by one of the processes (A) or (B).

The formula (I-d) provides a general definition of the pyridylpyrimidines formed as intermediates when carrying out the process (C) according to the invention. In this formula, R¹, R², X, n, Z and A preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals.

The formula (VI) provides a general definition of the amines required as starting materials for carrying out the process (C) according to the invention. In this formula, R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred etc., for these radicals.

Amines of the formula (VI) are known and/or can be prepared by known processes.

Suitable diluents for carrying out the process (C) according to the invention are in each case all customary protic solvents. Preference is given to using water or alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol; nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or isobutyronitrile or benzonitrile; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate. Particular preference is given to using water or alcohols, very particularly preferably methanol or ethanol.

Suitable water-absorbing reagents for carrying out the process (C) according to the invention are in each case all customary dehydrating agents. Preference is given to using carbodiimides. Particular preference is given to using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) or N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethyl-carbodiimide (EDC).

Suitable bases for carrying out the process (C) according to the invention are all inorganic and organic bases which are customary for such reactions. Preference is given to alkaline earth metal or alkali metal hydroxides, such as sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or else ammonium hydroxide.

When carrying out the process (C) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can in each case be varied within a relatively wide range. In general, the process is carried out at temperatures between −20° C. and 200° C., preferably between 0° C. and 150° C., very particularly preferably between 20° C. and 100° C.

When carrying out the process (C) according to the invention, in general 1 mol of the compound of the formula (I-c) is, in the first step, initially treated with a base and, in the second step, treated with 1 mol or a slight excess of the compound of the formula (VI) and 1-1.5 mol % of a water-absorbing reagent. However, it is also possible to employ the reaction components in other ratios. Work-up is carried out by customary methods. In general, the reaction mixture is concentrated and the crude product is freed from any impurities that may be present using customary methods, such as chromatography or recrystallization.

Process (D)

The formula (I-f) provides a general definition of the pyridylpyrimidines required as starting materials for carrying out the process (D) according to the invention. In this formula, R¹, R², X, n, Z and R preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals.

The pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-f) fall under the definition of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention and are prepared, for example, by one of the processes (A) or (B).

Suitable oxidizing agents for carrying out the process (D) according to the invention are all cusotmary oxidizing agents which can be used for oxidizing sulphur. Hydrogen peroxide, organic peracids, such as, for example, peracetic acid, m-chloroperbenzoic acid, p-nitroperbenzoic acid or atmospheric oxygen are particularly suitable.

Suitable diluents for carrying out the process (D) according to the invention are likewise inert organic solvents. Preference is given to using hydrocarbons, such as benzine, benzene, toluene, hexane or petroleum ether; chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride or chlorobenzene; ethers, such as diethyl ether, dioxane or tetrahydrofuran; carboxylic acids, such as acetiacicid or propionic acid; or dipolar aprotic solvents, such as acetonitrile, acetone, ethyl acetate or dimethylformamide.

If appropriate, the process (D) according to the invention can be carried out in the presence of an acid binder. Suitable acid binders are all organic and inorganic acid binders which are customarily used. Preference is given to using alkaline earth metal or alkali metal hydroxides, acetates or carbonates, such as, for example, calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium acetate or sodium carbonate.

If appropriate, the process (D) according to the invention can be carried out in the presence of a suitable catalyst. Suitable catalysts are all metal salt catalysts which are customarily used for such oxidations of sulphur. In this context, ammonium molybdate and sodium tungstate may be mentioned by way of example.

When carrying out the process (D) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can be varied within a relatively wide range. In general, the process is carried out at temperatures between −20° C. and +70° C., preferably at temperatures between 0° C. and +50° C.

For carrying out the process (D) according to the invention, in general from 0.8 to 1.2 mol preferably equimolar amounts, of oxidizing agent are used per mole of the compound of the formula (I-f) if the oxidation of the sulphur is to be stopped at the suilphoxide stage. For the oxidation to the sulphone, in general from 1.8 to 3.0 mol, preferably twice the molar amount, of oxidizing agent is used per mole of the compound of the formula (I-f). The practice of the reaction, work-up and isolation of the end product are carried out by customary processes.

Process (E)

The formula (VII) provides a general definition of the methylsulphonylpyrimidines required as starting materials for carrying out the process (E) according to the invention. In this formula,;R¹, R², X and n preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred etc. for these radicals.

The methylsulphonylpyrimidines of the formula (VI) are novel. They can be prepared by

-   c) reacting methylthio derivatives of the formula (XVI)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X and n have the meanings given above     -   with an oxidizing agent (for example m-chloroperbenzoic acid),         if appropriate in the presence of a diluent (for example         dichloromethane).

The formula (XVI) provides a general definition of the methylthio derivatives required as starting materials for carrying out the process (c). In this formula, R¹, R², X and n preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals.

Methylthio derivatives of the formula (XVI) are novel. They can be prepared by

-   d) reacting thiols of the formula (II)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X and n have the meanings given above     -   with a methylating agent (for example iodomethane), if         appropriate in the presence of a diluent (for example         acetonitrile) and if appropriate in the presence of an acid         binder (for example potassium carbonate).

Thiols of the formula (II) have already been described in connection with the description of the process (A) according to the invention.

The formula (VIII) provides a general definition of the amines required as starting materials for carrying out the process (E) according to the invention. In this formula, Z and R⁹ preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred etc., for these radicals.

Amines of the formula (VIII) are known and/or can be prepared by known processes.

Suitable diluents for carrying out the process (E) according to the invention are in each case all customary inert organic solvents. Preference is given to using nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or isobutyronitrile or benzonitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylformanilide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric triamide; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, methyl tert-amyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane or anisole; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate; sulphoxides, such as dimethyl sulphoxide; or sulphones, such as sulpholane. Particular preference is given to using nitriles, amides or sulphoxides, very particularly preferably acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran or dimethyl sulphoxide.

Suitable bases for carrying out the process (E) according to the invention are in each case all inorganic and organic bases customary for such reactions. Preference is given to using alkaline earth metal or alkali metal hydroxides, such as sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or else ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal hydrides, such as sodium hydride, alkali metal carbonates, such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal acetates, such as sodium acetate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate, and also tertiary amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, tributylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, pyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, diazabicyclooctane (DABCO), diazabicyclononene (DBN) or diazabicycloundecene (DBU). Particular preference is given to using alkali metal carbonates or hydrides, very particularly preferably potassium carbonate or sodium hydride.

When carrying out the process (E) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can in each case be varied within a relatively wide range. In general, the process is carried out at temperatures between −20° C. and 200° C., preferably between 0° C. and 150° C., very particularly preferably between 20° C. and 100° C.

When carrying out the process (E) according to the invention, in general 1 mol or a slight excess of the compound of the formula (VIII) and 0.1-5 mol of acid binder are employed per mole of the compound of the formula (VII). However, it is also possible to employ the reaction components in other ratios. Work-up is carried out by customary methods. In general, the reaction mixture is concentrated and extracted and the organic phase is washed, dried, filtered and concentrated. The residue is, if required, freed from any impurities that may still be present, using customary methods such as chromatography or recrystallization.

Process (F)

The methylsulphonylpyrimidines of the formula (VII) required as starting materials for carrying out the process (F) according to the invention have already been described in connection with the explanation of process (E).

The formula (IX) provides a general definition of the hydroxyl compounds required as starting materials for carrying out the process (F) according to the invention. In this formula, Z preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably has those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred etc. for these radicals.

Hydroxyl compounds of the formula (IX) are known and/or can be prepared by known processes.

Suitable diluents for carrying out the process (F) according to the invention are in each case all customary inert organic solvents. Preference is given to using nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or isobutyronitrile or benzonitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylfomanilide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric triamide; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate; sulphoxides, such as dimethyl sulphoxide; or sulphones, such as sulpholane. Particular preference is given to using nitriles, amides or sulphoxides, very particularly preferably acetonitrile, dimethylformamide or dimethyl sulphoxide.

Suitable bases for carrying out the process (F) according to the invention are in each case all inorganic and organic bases which are customary for such reactions. Preference is given to using alkaline earth metal or alkali metal hydroxides, such as sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or else ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal hydrides, such as sodium hydride, alkali metal carbonates, such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal acetates, such as sodium acetate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate, and also tertiary amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, tributylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, pyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, diazabicyclooctane (DABCO), diazabicyclononene (DBN) or diazabicycloundecene (DBU). Particular preference is given to using alkali metal carbonates or hydrides, very particularly preferably potassium carbonate or sodium hydride.

When carrying out the process (F) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can in each case be varied within a relatively wide range. In general, the process is carried out at temperatures between −20° C. and 200° C., preferably between 0° C. and 150° C., very particularly preferably between 20° C. and 100° C.

When carrying out the process (F) according to the invention, in general 1 mol or a slight excess of the compound of the formula (IX) and 0.1-5 mol of acid binder are employed per mole of the compound of the formula (VII). However, it is also possible to employ the reaction components in other reactions. Work-up is carried out by customary methods. In general, the reaction mixture is concentrated and extracted and the organic phase is washed, dried, filtered and concentrated. The residue is, as required, freed from any impurities that may still be present using customary methods, such as chromatography or recrystallization.

Process (G)

The pyridine derivatives of the formulae (X) and (XI) required as starting materials for carrying out the process (G) according to the invention have already been described in connection with the explanation of process (A).

The formula (XII) provides a general definition of the amidines required as starting materials for carrying out the process (G) according to the invention. In this formula, Z preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably has those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred etc., for these radicals.

Amidines of the formula (XII) are known and/or can be prepared by known processes.

Suitable diluents for carrying out the process (G) according to the invention are in each case all customary protic solvents. Preference is given to using water or alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol; nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or isobutyronitrile or benzonitrile; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate.

Particular preference is given to using water or alcohols, very particularly preferably methanol or ethanol.

Suitable bases for carrying out the process (G) according to the invention are in each case all inorganic and organic bases which are customary for such reactions. Preference is given to using alkaline earth metal or alkali metal hydroxides, such as sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal hydrides, such as sodium hydride, alkali metal carbonates, such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal acetates, such as sodium acetate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate, alkali metal alkoxides, such as sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide. Particular preference is given to using alkali metal alkoxides, very particularly preferably sodium methoxide.

When carrying out the process (G) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can in each case be varied within a relatively wide range. In general, the process is carried out at temperatures between −20° C. and 200° C., preferably between 0° C. and 150° C., very particularly preferably between 20° C. and 100° C.

When carrying out the process (G) according to the invention, in general 1 mol or a slight excess of the compound the formula (XII) and 0.1-5 mol of acid binder are employed per mole of the compound of the formula (X) or (XI). However, it is also possible to employ the reaction components in other ratios. Work-up is carried out by customary methods. In general, the reaction mixture is concentrated and extracted and the organic phase is washed, dried, filtered and concentrated. The residue is, if required, freed from any impurities that may still be present using customary methods, such as chromatography recrystallization.

Process (H)

The formula (I-k) provides a general definition of the pyridylpyrimidines required as starting materials for carrying out the process (H) according to the invention. In this formula, R¹, R², X, n, Z and A preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) as being preferred, particularly preferred etc., for these radicals. Y² preferably represents a direct bond, sulphur, oxygen or NR⁹.

Pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-k) are likewise compounds according to the invention; they can be prepared, for example, by

-   e) treating esters of the formula (I-u)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n, Y², A and E³ have the meanings given above     -   with a base (for example sodium hydroxide), if appropriate in         the presence of a diluent (for example methanol).

Pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-u) also form part of the subject-matter of the present invention and can be prepared by process (A) or (B).

The formula (XIII) provides a general definition of the hydroxides required as starting materials for carrying out the process (H) according to the invention. In this formula, M preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably has those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred etc., for these radicals.

Hydroxides of the formula (XIII) are known and/or can be prepared by known processes.

Suitable diluents for carrying out the process (H) according to the invention are in each case all customary protic solvents. Preference is given to using water or alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol; nitrites, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or isobutyronitrile or benzonitrile. Particular preference is given to using water or alcohols.

When carrying out the process (H) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can in each case be varied within a relatively wide range. In general, the process is carried out at temperatures between 0° C. and 200° C., preferably between 0° C. and 150° C., very particularly preferably between 20° C. and 100° C.

When carrying out the process (H) according to the invention, in general 1 mol or a slight excess of the compound of the formula (XIII) is employed per mole of the compound of the formula (I-k). However, it is also possible to employ the reaction components in other ratios. Work-up is carried out by customary methods. In general, the reaction mixture is concentrated and extracted and the organic phase is washed, dried, filtered and concentrated. The residue is, if required, freed from any impurities that may still be present using customary methods, such as chromatography or recrystallization.

Process (J)

The formula (XIV) provides a general definition of the nitrites required as starting materials for carrying out the process (J) according to the invention. In this formula, R¹, R², X, n, Y and Z preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals.

Nitriles of the formula (XIV) are novel. They can be prepared by

-   f) reacting thiols of the formula (II)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X and n have the meanings given above     -   with chorinated nitrites of the formula (XVII)         Cl-Z-CN  (XVII)     -   in which     -   Z has the meanings given above,     -   if appropriate in the presence of a diluent (for example         toluene) and if appropriate in the presence of an acid binder         (for example sodium hydroxide).

The compounds of the formula (II) required as starting materials for carrying out the process (f) have already been described in connection with the description of the process (A) according to the invention.

The formula (XVII) provides a general definition of the chlorinated nitriles required as starting materials for carrying out the process (f). In this formula, Z preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably has those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals.

Chlorinated nitriles of the formula (XVII) are known.

The trialkyltin azides required for carrying out the process (J) according to the invention are known. Preference is given to using trimethyltin azide or tri(n-butyl)tin azide.

Suitable diluents for carrying out the process (J) according to the invention are in each case all customary inert organic solvents. Preference is given to using optionally halogenated aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbons, such as petroleum ether, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene or decalin; chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dichloroethane or trichloroethane; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, methyl tert-amyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane or anisole; nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or isobutyronitrile or benzonitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylfdrmanilide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric triamide; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate; sulphoxides, such as dimethyl sulphoxide; or sulphones, such as sulpholane. Particular preference is given to using toluene.

When carrying out the process (J) according to the invention, in general 1 mol or a slight excess of the trialkyltin azide is employed per mole of the compound of the formula (XIV). However, it is also possible to employ the reaction components in other ratios. Work-up is carried out by customary methods. In general, the reaction mixture is concentrated and extracted and the organic phase is washed, dried, filtered and concentrated. The residue is, if required, freed from any impurities that may still be present using customary methods, such as chromatography or recrystallization.

Process (K)

The formula (I-n) provides a general definition of the pyridylpyrimidines required as starting materials for carrying out the process (K) according to the invention. In this formula, R¹, R², X, n and Z preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals. Y² preferably represents a direct bond, sulphur, oxygen or NR⁹.

Pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-n) are novel. They can be prepared by

-   g) reacting compounds of the formula (XVIII)

-    in which     -   Z has the meanings given above,     -   Y³ represents oxygen, sulphur or —NR⁹—, where R⁹ has the         meanings given above, or     -   Grignard reagents of the formula (XIX)

-   -    in which     -   Z has the meanings given above,     -   with methylsulphonylpyrimidines of the formula (VII)

-   -    in which     -   R¹, R², X and n have the meanings given above,     -   if appropriate in the presence of a diluent (for example         tetrahydrofuran) and if appropriate in the presence of an acid         binder (for example triethylamine).

The formulae (XVIII) and (XIX) provide general definitions of the compounds required as starting materials for carrying out the process (g). In these formulae, Z preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably has those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals.

Compounds of the formula (XVIII) and Grignard reagents of the formula (XIX) can be prepared by known processes.

Compounds of the formula (VII) have already been described above in connection with the description of the process (E).

Suitable diluents for carrying out the process (K) according to the invention are in each case all customary inert organic solvents. Preference is given to using nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or isobutyronitrile or benzonitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylformanilide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric triamide; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, methyl tert-amyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane or anisole; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate; sulphoxides, such as dimethyl sulphoxide; or sulphones, such as sulpholane. Particular preference is given to using nitriles, amides or sulphoxides, very particularly preferably acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylsulphoxide.

Suitable catalysts for carrying out the process (K) according to the invention are all catalysts suitable for hydrogenation reactions. Preference is given to using palladium or platinum catalysts, particularly preferably palladium/activated carbon.

When carrying out the process (K) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can in each case be varied within a relatively wide range. In general, the process is carried out at temperatures between −20° C. and 200° C., preferably between 0° C. and 150° C.

When carrying out the process (K) according to the invention, in general 1-10 mol % of a catalyst are employed per mole of the compound of the formula (I-n). However, it is also possible to employ the reaction components in other ratios. Work-up is carried out by customary methods. In general, the reaction mixture is concentrated and extracted and the organic phase is washed, dried, filtered and concentrated. The residue is, if required, freed from any impurities that may still be present using customary methods, such as chromatography or recrystallization.

Process (L)

The formula (XV) provides a general definition of the keto compounds required as starting materials for carrying out the process (L) according to the invention. In this formula, R¹, R², X, n and Z preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals. Y² preferably represents a direct bond, sulphur, oxygen or NR⁹.

Keto compounds of the formula (XV) are novel. They can be prepared by

-   h) reacting compounds of the formula (XX)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X, n and Y³ have the meanings given above     -   with methyl ketones of the formula (XXI)

-   -    in which     -   Z has the meanings given above     -   if appropriate in the presence of a diluent (for example         tetrahydrofuran) and if appropriate in the presence of an acid         binder (for example triethylamine) or

-   i) reacting methylsulphonylpyrimidines of the formula (VII)

-    in which     -   R¹, R², X and n have the meanings given above     -   with Grignard reagents of the formula (XXII)

-   -    in which     -   Z has the meanings given above,     -   if appropriate in the presence of a diluent (for example         tetrahydrofuran) and if appropriate in the presence of an acid         binder (for example triethylamine).

The formula (XX) provides a general definition of the compounds required as starting materials for carrying out the process (h). In this formula, R¹, R², X and n preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals. Y³ preferably represents sulphur, oxygen or NR⁹.

Some of the compounds of the formula (XX) are known and/or can be prepared by known processes.

The formula (XXI) provides a general definition of the methyl ketones required as starting materials for carrying out the process (h). In this formula, Z preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably has those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals.

Methyl ketones of the formula (XXI) are known.

The methylsulphonylpyrimidines of the formula (VII) required as starting materials for carrying out the process (i) have already been described in connection with the explanation of process (E).

The formula (XXII) provides a general definition of the Grignard reagents required as starting materials for carrying out the process (i). In this formula, Z preferably, particularly preferably and very particularly preferably has those meanings which have already been mentioned in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention as being preferred, particularly preferred, etc., for these radicals.

Grignard reagents of the formula (XXII) are known.

Suitable diluents for carrying out the process (L) according to the invention are in each case all customary inert organic solvents. Preference is given to using optionally halogenated aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbons, such as petroleum ether, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene or decalin; chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dichloroethane or trichloroethane; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, methyl tert-amyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane or anisole; nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or isobutyronitrile or benzonitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylformanilide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric triamide; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate; sulphoxides, such as dimethyl sulphoxide; or sulphones, such as sulpholane.

When carrying out the process (L) according to the invention, in general 1 mol or a slight excess of ammonium carbonate and 1 mol or a slight excess of potassium cyanide are employed per mole of the compound of the formula (XV). However, it is also possible to employ the reaction components in other ratios. Work-up is carried out by customary methods. In general, the reaction mixture is concentrated and extracted and the organic phase is washed, dried, filtered and concentrated. The residue is, if appropriate, freed from any impurities that may still be present using customary methods, such as chromatography or recrystallization.

All processes according to the invention are generally carried out under atmospheric pressure. However, in each case it is also possible to operate under elevated or reduced pressure.

The active compounds according to the invention are suitable for controlling animal pests, in particular insects, arachnids and nematodes, which are encountered in agriculture, in forestry, in the protection of stored products and of materials, and in the hygiene sector, and have good plant tolerance and favourable toxicity to warm-blooded animals. They may preferably be employed as plant protection agents. They are active against normally sensitive and resistant species and against all or some stages of development. The abovementioned pests include:

From the order of the Isopoda, for example, Oniscus asellus, Armadillidium vulgare and Porcellio scaber.

From the order of the Diplopoda, for example, Blaniulus guttulatus.

From the order of the Chilopoda, for example, Geophilus carpophagus and Scutigera spp.

From the order of the Symphyla, for example, Scutigerella immaculata.

From the order of the Thysanura, for example, Lepisma saccharina.

From the order of the Collembola, for example, Onychiurus armatus.

From the order of the Orthoptera, for example, Acheta domesticus, Gryllotalpa spp., Locusta migratoria migratorioides, Melanoplus spp. and Schistocerca gregaria.

From the order of the Blattaria, for example, Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta americana, Leucophaea maderae and Blattella germanica.

From the order of the Dermaptera, for example, Forficula auricularia.

From the order of the Isoptera, for example, Reticulitermes spp.

From the order of the Phthiraptera, for example, Pediculus humanus corporis, Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp., Trichodectes spp. and Damalinia spp.

From the order of the Thysanoptera, for example, Hercinothrips femoralis, Thrips tabaci, Thrips palmi and Frankliiiella accidentalis.

From the order of the Heteroptera, for example, Eurygaster spp., Dysdercus intermedius, Piesma quadrata, Cimex lectularius, Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma spp.

From the order of the Homoptera, for example, Aleurodes brassicae, Bemisia tabaci, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Aphis gossypii, Brevicoryne brassicae, Cryptomyzus ribis, Aphis fabae, Aphis pomi, Eriosoma lanigerum, Hyalopterus arundinis, Phylloxera vastatrix, Pemphigus spp., Macrosiphum avenae, Myzus spp., Phorodon humuli, Rhopalosiphum padi, Empoasca spp., Euscelis bilobatus, Nephotettix cincticeps, Lecanium corni, Saissetia oleae, Laodelphax striatellus, Nilaparvata lugens, Aonidiella aurantii, Aspidiotus hederae, Pseudococcus spp. and Psylla spp.

From the order of the Lepidoptera, for example, Pectinophora gossypiella, Bupalus piniarius, Cheimatobia brumata, Lithocolletis blancardella, Hyponomeuta padella, Plutella xylostella, Malacosoma neustria, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, Lymantria spp., Bucculatrix thurberiella, Phyllocnistis citrella, Agrotis spp., Euxoa spp., Feltia spp., Earias insulana, Heliothis spp., Mamestra brassicae, Panolis flammea, Spodoptera spp., Trichoplusia ni, Carpocapsa pomonella, Pieris spp., Chilo spp., Pyrausta nubilalis, Ephestia kuehniella, Galleria mellonella, Tineola bisselliella, Tinea pellionella, Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Cacoecia podana, Capua reticulana, Choristoneura fumiferana, Clysia ambiguella, Homona magnanima, Tortrix viridana, Cnaphalocerus spp. and Oulema oryzae.

From the order of the Coleoptera, for example, Anobium punctatum, Rhizopertha dominica, Bruchidius obtectus, Acanthoscelides obtectus, Hylotrupes bajulus, Agelastica alni, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Phaedon cochleariae, Diabrotica spp., Psylliodes chrysocephala, Epilachna varivestis, Atomaria spp., Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Anthonomus spp., Sitophilus spp., Otiorrhynchus sulcatus, Cosmopolites sordidus, Ceuthorrhynchus assimilis, Hypera postica, Dermestes spp., Trogoderma spp., Anthrenus spp., Attagenus spp., Lyctus spp., Meligethes aeneus, Ptinus spp., Niptus hololeucus, Gibbium psylloides, Tribolium spp., Tenebrio molitor, Agriotes spp., Conoderus spp., Melolontha melolontha, Amphimallon solstitialis, Costelytra zealandica and Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus.

From the order of the Hymenoptera, for example, Diprion spp., Hoplocampa spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium pharaonis and Vespa spp.

From the order of the Diptera, for example, Aedes spp., Anopheles spp., Culex spp., Drosophila melanogaster, Musca spp., Fannia spp., Calliphora erythrocephala, Lucilia spp., Chrysomyia spp., Cuterebra spp., Gastrophilus spp., Hyppobosca spp., Stomoxys spp., Oestrus spp., Hypoderma spp., Tabanus spp., Tannia spp., Bibio hortulanus, Oscinella frit, Phorbia spp., Pegomyia hyoscyarni, Ceratitis capitata, Dacus oleae, Tipula paludosa, Hylemyla spp. and Liriomyza spp.

From the order of the Siphonaptera, for example, Xenopsylla cheopis and Ceratophyllus spp.

From the class of the Arachnida, for example, Scorpio maurus, Latrodectus mactans, Acarus siro, Argas spp., Omithodoros spp., Dermanyssus gallinae, Eriophyes ribis, Phyllocoptruta oleivora, Boophilus spp., Rhipicephalus spp., Amblyomma spp., Hyalomma spp., Ixodes spp., Psoroptes spp., Chorioptes spp., Sarcoptes spp., Tarsonemus spp., Bryobia praetiosa, Panonychus spp., Tetranychus spp., Hemitarsonemus spp. and Brevipalpus spp.

The phytoparasitic nematodes include, for example, Pratylenchus spp., Radopholus similis, Ditylenchus dipsaci, Tylenchulus semipenetrans, Heterodera spp., Globodera spp., Meloidogyne spp., Aphelenchoides spp., Longidorus spp., Xiphinema spp., Trichodorus spp. and Bursaphelenchus spp.

In particular, the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention have excellent activity against caterpillars, beetle larvae, spider mites, aphids and leaf-mining flies.

If appropriate, the compounds according to the invention can, at certain concentrations or application rates, also be used as herbicides or microbicides, for example as fungicides, antimycotics and bactericides. If appropriate, they can also be employed as intermediates or precursors for the synthesis of other active compounds.

All plants and plant parts can be treated in accordance with the invention. Plants are to be understood as meaning in the present context all plants and plant populations such as desired and undesired wild plants or crop plants (including naturally occurring crop plants). Crop plants can be plants which can be obtained by conventional plant breeding and optimization methods or by biotechnological and recombinant methods or by combinations of these methods, including the transgenic plants and including the plant cultivars protectable or not protectable by plant breeders' rights. Plant parts are to be understood as meaning all parts and organs of plants above and below the ground, such as shoot, leaf, flower and root, examples which may be mentioned being leaves, needles, stalks, stems, flowers, fruit bodies, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers and rhizomes. The plant parts also include harvested material, and vegetative and generative propagation material, for example cuttings, tubers, rhizomes, offsets and seeds.

The treatment according to the invention of the plants and plant parts with the active compounds is carried out directly or by allowing the compounds to act on the surroundings, environment or storage space by the customary treatment methods, for example by immersion, spraying, evaporation, fogging, scattering, painting on and, in the case of propagation material, in particular in the case of seeds, also by applying one or more coats.

The active compounds according to the invention can be converted into the customary formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, wettable powders, suspensions, powders, dusts, pastes, soluble powders, granules, suspension-emulsion concentrates, natural and synthetic materials impregnated with active compound and microencapsulations in, polymeric substances.

These formulations are produced in a known manner, for example by mixing the active compounds according to the invention with extenders, that is to say liquid solvents and/or solid carriers, optionally with the use of surfactants, that is to say emulsifiers and/or dispersants and/or foam-formers.

If the extender used is water, it is also possible to employ for example organic solvents as auxiliary solvents. Essentially, suitable liquid solvents are: aromatics such as xylene, toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatics and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylene chloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example petroleum fractions, mineral and vegetable oils, alcohols such as butanol or glycol and also their ethers and esters, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents such as dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide, and also water.

Suitable solid carriers are:

-   for example ammonium salts and ground natural minerals such as     kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or     diatomaceous earth, and ground synthetic minerals, such as highly     disperse silica, alumina and silicates; suitable solid carriers for     granules are: for example crushed and fractionated natural rocks     such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite, and also     synthetic granules of inorganic and organic meals, and granules of     organic material such as sawdust, coconut shells, maize cobs and     tobacco stalks; -   suitable emulsifiers and/or foam-formers are: for example nonionic     and anionic emulsifiers, such as polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters,     polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, for example alkylaryl     polyglycol ethers, alkylsulphonates, alkyl sulphates,     arylsulphonates and also protein hydrolysates;

suitable dispersants are: for example lignosulphite waste liquors and methylcellulose.

Tackifiers such as carboxymethylcellulose and natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or latices, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, as well as natural phospholipids such as cephalins and lecithins, and synthetic phospholipids, can be used in the formulations. Other additives can be mineral and vegetable oils.

It is possible to use colorants such as inorganic pigments, for example iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs and metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs, and trace nutrients such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

The formulations generally comprise between 0.1 and 95% by weight of active compound, preferably between 0.5 and 90%.

The active compounds according to the invention can be present in commercially available formulations and in the use forms, prepared from these formulations, as a mixture with other active compounds, such as insecticides, attractants, sterilizing agents, bactericides, acaricides, nematicides, fungicides, growth-regulating substances or herbicides. The insecticides include, for example, phosphoric acid esters, carbamates, carboxylates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, phenylureas and substances produced by microorganisms, inter alia.

Particularly suitable co-components are, for example, the following compounds:

Fungicides:

-   aldimorph, ampropylfos, ampropylfos-potassium, andoprim, anilazine,     azaconazole, azoxystrobin, -   benalaxyl, benodanil, benomyl, benzamacril, benzamacryl-isobutyl,     bialaphos, binapacryl, biphenyl, bitertanol, blasticidin-S,     bromuconazole, bupirimate, buthiobate, calcium polysulphide,     capsimycin, captafol, captan, carbendazim, carboxin, carvon,     quinomethionate, chlobenthiazone, chlorfenazole, chloroneb,     chloropicrin, chlorothalonil, chlozolinate, clozylacon, cufraneb,     cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, cyprofuram, -   debacarb, dichlorophen, diclobutrazole, diclofluanid, diclomezine,     dicloran, diethofencarb, difenoconazole, dimethirimol, dimethomorph,     diniconazole, diniconazole-M, dinocap, diphenylamine, dipyrithione,     ditalimfos, dithianon, dodemorph, dodine, drazoxolon, -   edifenphos, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, ethirimol, etridiazole, -   famoxadon, fenapanil, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram,     fenitropan, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin acetate,     fentin hydroxide, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, flumetover,     fluoromide, fluquinconazole, flurprimidol, flusilazole,     flusulfamide, flutolanil, flutriafol, folpet, fosetyl-aluminium,     fosetyl-sodium, fthalide, fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr,     furcarbonil, furconazole, furconazole-cis, furmecyclox, guazatine,     hexachlorobenzene, hexaconazole, hymexazole, -   imazalil, imibenconazole, iminoctadine, iminoctadine albesilate,     iminoctadine triacetate, iodocarb, ipconazole, iprobenfos (IBP),     iprodione, irumamycin, isoprothiolane, isovaledione, -   kasugamycin, kresoxim-methyl, copper preparations, such as: copper     hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oxychloride, copper sulphate,     copper oxide, oxine-copper and Bordeaux mixture, -   mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, meferimzone, mepanipyrim, mepronil,     metalaxyl, metconazole, methasulfocarb, methfuroxam, metiram,     metomeclam, metsulfovax, mildiomycin, myclobutanil, myclozolin, -   nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl, nuarimol, -   ofurace, oxadixyl, oxamocarb, oxolinic acid, oxycarboxim,     oxyfenthiin, -   paclobutrazole, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, phosdiphen,     pimaricin, piperalin, polyoxin, polyoxbrim, probenazole, prochioraz,     procymidone, propamocarb, propanosine-sodium, propiconazole,     propineb, pyrazophos, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyroquilon,     pyroxyfur, -   quinconazole, quintozene (PCNB), -   sulphur and sulphur preparations, -   tebuconazole, tecloftalam, tecnazene, tetcyclasis, tetraconazole,     thiabendazole, thicyofen, thifluzamide, thiophanate-methyl, thiram,     tioxymid, tolclofos-methyl, tolylfluanid, triadimefon, triadimenol,     triazbutil, triazoxide, trichlamide, tricyclazole, tridemorph,     triflurnizole, triforine, triticonazole, -   uniconazole, -   validamycin A, vinclozolin, viniconazole, -   zarilamide, zineb, ziram and also -   Dagger G, OK-8705, OK-8801, -   α-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-β-(2-phenoxyethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol, -   α-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-β-fluoro-β-propyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol, -   α-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-β-methoxy-α-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol, -   α-(5-methyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl)-β-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-methylene]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol, -   (5RS,6RS)-6-hydroxy-2,2,7,7-tetramethyl-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-3-octanone, -   (E)-α-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-phenoxy-phenylacetamide, -   1-isopropyl{2-methyl-1-[[[1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethyl]-amino]-carbonyl]-propyl}-carbamate, -   1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-ethanone-O-(phenylmethyl)-oxime, -   1-(2-methyl-1-naphthalenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, -   1-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-3-(2-propenyl)-2,5-pyrrolidinedione, -   1-[(diiodomethyl)-sulphonyl]-4-methyl-benzene, -   1-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl]-methyl]-1H-imidazole, -   1-[[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenyloxiranyl]-methyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole, -   1-[1-[2-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-methoxy]-phenyl]-ethenyl]-1H-imidazole, -   1-methyl-5-nonyl-2-(phenylmethyl)-3-pyrrolidinole, -   2′,6′-dibromo-2-methyl-4′-trifluoromethoxy-4′-trifluoromethyl-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxanilide, -   2,2-dichloro-N-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl]-1-ethyl-3-methyl-cyclopropanecarboxamide, -   2,6-dichloro-5-(methylthio)-4-pyrimidinyl-thiocyanate, -   2,6-dichloro-N-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-benzamide, -   2,6-dichloro-N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-methyl]-benzamide, -   2-(2,3,3-triiodo-2-propenyl)-2H-tetrazole, -   2-[(1-methylethyl)-sulphonyl]-5-(trichloromethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole, -   2-[[6-deoxy-4-O-(4-O-methyl-β-D-glycopyranosyl)-α-D-glucopyranosyl]-amino]-4-methoxy-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile, -   2-aminobutane, -   2-bromo-2-(bromomethyl)-pentanedinitrile, -   2-chloro-N-(2,3-dihydro-1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-inden-4-yl)-3-pyridinecarboxamide, -   2-chloro-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(isothiocyanatomethyl)-acetamide, -   2-phenylphenol (OPP), -   3,4-dichloro-1-[4-(difluoromethoxy)-phenyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, -   3,5-dichloro-N-[cyano[(1-methyl -2-propynyl)-oxy]-methyl]-benzamide, -   3-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1-oxo-1H-indene-2-carbonitrile, -   3-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-ethoxy-3-isoxazolidinyl]-pyridine, -   4-chloro-2-cyano-N,N-dimethyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazole-1-sulphonamide, -   4-methyl-tetrazolo[1,5-a]quinazolin-5(4H)-one, -   8-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-ethyl-N-propyl-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-2-methanamine, -   8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate, -   9H-xanthene-2-[(phenylamino)-carbonyl]-9-carboxylic hydrazide, -   bis-(1-methylethyl)-3-methyl-4-[(3-methylbenzoyl)-oxy]-2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate, -   cis-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-cycloheptanol, -   cis-4-[3-[4-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-phenyl-2-methylpropyl]-2,6-dimethyl-morpholine     hydrochloride, -   ethyl[(4-chlorophenyl)-azo]-cyanoacetate, -   potassium bicarbonate, -   methanetetrathiol-sodium salt, -   methyl     1-(2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-1H-inden-1-yl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate, -   methyl N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(5-isoxazolylcarbonyl)-DL-alaninate, -   methyl N-(chloroacetyl)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-DL-alaninate, -   N-(2,3-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-cyclohexanecarboxamide, -   N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-methoxy-N-(tetrahydro-2-oxo-3-furanyl)-acetamide, -   N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-methoxy-N-(tetrahydro-2-oxo-3-thienyl)-acetamide, -   N-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-4-methyl-3-nitro-benzenesulphonamide, -   N-(4-cyclohexylphenyl)-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidineamine, -   N-(4-hexylphenyl)-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidineamine, -   N-(5-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-2-methoxy-N-(2-oxo-3-oxazolidinyl)-acetamide, -   N-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-cyclopropanecarboxamide, -   N-[2,2,2-trichloro-1-[(chloroacetyl)-amino]-ethyl]-benzamide, -   N-[3-chloro-4,5-bis(2-propinyloxy)-phenyl]-N′-methoxy-methaneimidamide, -   N-formyl-N-hydroxy-DL-alanine-sodium salt, -   O,O-diethyl[2-(dipropylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-ethylphosphoramindothioate, -   O-methyl S-phenyl phenylpropylphosphoramidothioate, -   S-methyl 1,2,3-benzothiadiazole-7-carbothioate, -   spiro[2H]-1-benzopyran-2,1′(3′H)-isobenzofuran]-3′-one.     Bactericides: -   bronopol, dichlorophen, nitrapyrin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate,     kasugamycin, octhilinone, furancarboxylic acid, oxytetracyclin,     probenazole, streptomycin, tecloftalam, copper sulphate and other     copper preparations.     Insecticides/Acaricides/Nematicides: -   abamectin, acephate, acetamiprid, acrinathrin, alanycarb, aldicarb,     aldoxycarb, alphacypermethrin, alphamethrin, amitraz, averrnectin,     AZ 60541, azadirachtin, azamethiphos, azinphos A, azinphos M,     azocyclotin, -   Bacillus popilliae, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus     thuringiensis, baculoviruses, Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria tenella,     bendiocarb, benfuracarb, bensultap, benzoximate, betacyfluthrin,     bifenazate, bifenthrin, bioethanomethrin, biopermethrin, BPMC,     bromophos A, bufencarb, buprofezin, butathiofos, butocarboxim,     butylpyridaben, -   cadusafos, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbophenothion, carbosulfan,     cartap, chloethocarb, chlorethoxyfos, chlorfenapyr, chlorfenvinphos,     chlorfluazuron, chlormephos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpynifos M,     chlovaporthrin, cis-resmethrin, cisperrnethrin, clocythrin,     cloethocarb, clofentezine, cyanophos, cycloprene, cycloprothrin,     cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cyhexatin, cypernethrin, cyromazine, -   deltamethrin, demeton M, demeton S, demeton-S-methyl, diafenthiuron,     diazinon, dichlorvos, diflubenzuron, dimethoate, dimethylvinphos,     diofenolan, disulfoton, docusat-sodium, dofenapyn, -   eflusilanate, emamectin, empenthrin, endosulfan, Entomopfthora spp.,     eprinomectin, esfenvalerate, ethiofencarb, ethion, ethoprophos,     etofenprox, etoxazole, etrimfos, fenamiphos, fenazaquin, fenbutatin     oxide, fenitrothion, fenothiocarb, fenoxacrim, fenoxycarb,     fenpropathrin, fenpyrad, fenpyrithrin, fenpyroximate, fenvalerate,     fipronil, fluazuron, flubrocythrinate, flucycloxuron, flucythrinate,     flufenoxuron, flutenzine, fluvalinate, fonophos, fosmethilan,     fosthiazate, fubfenprox, furathiocarb, -   granulosis viruses, -   halofenozide, HCH, heptenophos, hexaflumuron, hexythiazox,     hydroprene, -   imidacloprid, isazofos, isofenphos, isoxathibn, ivermectin, -   nuclear polyhedrosis viruses, -   lambda-cyhalothrin, lufenuron, -   malathion, mecarbam, metaldehyde, methamidophos, Metharhizium     anisopliae, Metharhizium flavoviride, methidathion, methiocarb,     methomyl, methoxyfenozide, metolcarb, metoxadiozone, mevinphos,     milbemectin, monocrotophos, naled, nitenpyram, nithiazine,     novaluron, -   omethoate, oxamyl, oxydemethon M, -   Paecilamyces fumosoroseus, parathion A, parathion M, permethrin,     phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phoxim,     pirimicarb, pirimiphos A, pirimiphos M, profenofos, promecarb,     propoxur, prothiofos, prothoate, pymetrozine, phraclofos,     pyresmethrin, pyrethrum, pyridaben, pyridathion, pyrimidifen,     pyrinproxyfen, -   quinalphos, -   ribavirin, -   salithion, sebufos, selamectin, silafluofen, spinosad, sulfotep,     sulprofos, tau-fluvalinate, tebufenozide, tebufenpyrad,     tebupirimiphos, teflubenzuron, tefluthrin, temephos, temivinphos,     terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, theta-cypermethrin, thiamethoxam,     thiapronil, thiatriphos, thiocyclam hydrogen oxalate, thiodicarb,     thiofanox, thuringiensin, tralocythrin, tralomethrin, triarathene,     triazamate, thiazophos, thrazuron, trichlophenidine, trichlorfon,     triflumuron, trimethacarb, vamidothion, vaniliprole, Verticillium     lecanii, -   YI 5302, -   zeta-cypermethrin, zolaprofos, -   (1R-cis)-[5-(phenylmethyl)-3-furanyl]-methyl-3-[(dihydro-2-oxo-3(2H)-furanyliden)-methyl]-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, -   (3-phenoxyphenyl)-methyl-2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, -   1-[(2-chloro-5-thiazolyl)methyl]tetrahydro-3,5-dimethyl-N-nitro-1,3,5-triazine-2(1H)-imine, -   2-(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-oxazole, -   2-(acetyloxy)-3-dodecyl-1,4-naphthalenedione, -   2-chloro-N-[[[4-)1-phenylethoxy)-phenyl]-amino]-carbonyl]-benzamide, -   2-chlor-N-[[[4-(2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)-phenyl]-amino]-carbonyl]-benzamide, -   3-methylphenyl propylcarbamate, -   4-[4-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-methylpentyl]-1-fluoro-2-phenoxy-benzene, -   4-chloro-2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-5-[[2-(2,6-dimethyl-4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl]thio]-3(2H)-pyridazinone, -   4-chloro-2-(2-chloro-2-methylpropyl)-5-[(6-iodo-3-pyridinyl)methoxy]-3(2H)-pyridazinone, -   4-chloro-5-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methoxy]-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone, -   Bacillus thuringiensis strain EG-2348, -   [2-benzoyl-1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-hydrazinobenzoic acid, -   2,2-dimethyl-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-oxo-1-oxaspiro     [4.5]dec-3-en-4-yl butanoate, -   [3-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl]-2-thiazolidinylidene]-cyanamide, -   dihydro-2-(nitromethylene)-2H-1,3-thiazine-3(4H)-carboxaldehyde, -   ethyl[2-[[1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-1-(phenylmethyl)-4-pyridazinyl]oxy]ethyl]-carbamate, -   N-(3,4,4-trifluoro-1-oxo-3-butenyl)-glycine, -   N-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-[4-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-4-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamide, -   N-[(2-chloro-5-thiazolyl)methyl]-N′-methyl-N″-nitro-guanidine, -   N-methyl-N′-(1-methyl-2-propenyl)-1,2-hydrazinedicarbothioamide, -   N-methyl-N′-2-propenyl-1,2-hydrazinedicarbothioamide, -   O,O-diethyl[2-(dipropylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-ethylphosphoramidothioate.

It is also possible to admix other known active compounds, such as herbicides, fertilizers and growth regulators.

When used as insecticides, the active compounds according to the invention can furthermore be present in their commercially available formulations and in the use forms, prepared from these formulations, as a mixture with synergistic agents. Synergistic agents are compounds which increase the action of the active compounds according to the invention, without it being necessary for the synergistic agent added to be active itself.

The active compound content of the use forms prepared from the commercially available formulations can vary within wide limits. The active compound concentration of the use forms can be from 0.0000001 to 95% by weight of active compound, preferably between 0.0001 and 1% by weight.

The compounds are employed in a customary manner appropriate for the use forms.

When used against hygiene pests and pests of stored products, the active compound is distinguished by an excellent residual action on wood and clay as well as a good stability to alkali on limed substrates.

As already mentioned above, it is possible to treat all plants and their parts according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, wild plant species and plant cultivars, or those obtained by conventional biological breeding methods, such as crossing or protoplast fusion, and parts thereof, are treated. In a further preferred embodiment, transgenic plants and plant cultivars obtained by genetic engineering, if appropriate in combination with conventional methods (Genetically Modified Organisms), and parts thereof are treated. The term “parts” or “parts of plants” or “plant parts” has been explained above.

Particularly preferably, plants of the plant cultivars which are in each case commercially available or in use are treated according to the invention. Plant cultivars are to be understood as meaning plants having specific properties (“traits”) which have been obtained by conventional breeding, by mutagenesis or by recombinant DNA techniques. This can be varieties, bio- and genotypes.

Depending on the plant species or plant cultivars, their location and growth conditions (soils, climate, vegetation period, diet), the treatment according to the invention may also result in superadditive (“synergistic”) effects. Thus, for example, reduced application rates and/or a widening of the activity spectrum and/or an increase in the activity of the substances and compositions to be used according to the invention, better plant growth, increased tolerance to high or low temperatures, increased tolerance to drought or to water or soil salt content, increased flowering performance, easier harvesting, accelerated maturation, higher harvest yields, better quality and/or a higher nutritional value of the harvested products, better storage stability and/or processability of the harvested products are possible which extend beyond the effects which were actually to be expected.

The preferred transgenic plants or plant cultivars (i.e. those obtained by genetic engineering) which are to be treated according to the invention include all plants which, in the genetic modification, received genetic material which impaired particularly advantageous useful properties (“traits”) to these plants. Examples of such properties are better plant growth, increased tolerance to high or low temperatures, increased tolerance to drought or to water or soil salt content, increased flowering performance, easier harvesting, accelerated maturation, higher harvest yields, better quality and/or a higher nutritional value of the harvested products, better storage stability and/or processability of the harvested products. Further and particularly emphasized examples of such properties are a better defence of the plants against animal and microbial pests, such as against insects, mites, phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria and/or viruses, and also increased tolerance of the plants to certain herbicidally active compounds. Examples of transgenic plants which may be mentioned are the important crop plants, such as cereals (wheat, rice), maize, soya beans, potatoes, cotton, oilseed rape and also fruit plants (with the fruits apples, pears, citrus fruits and grapevines), and particular emphasis is given to maize, soya beans, potatoes, cotton and oilseed rape. Traits that are emphasized are in particular increased defence of the plants against insects by toxins formed in the plants, in particular those formed in the plants by the genetic material from Bacillus thuringiensis (for example by the genes CryIA(a), CryIA(b), CryIA(c), CryIIA, CryIIIA, CryIIIB2, Cry9c, Cry2Ab, Cry3Bb and CryIF and also combinations thereof) (hereinbelow referred to as “Bt plants”). Traits that are also particularly emphasized are the increased defence of plants to fungi, bacteria and viruses by systemic acquired resistance (SAR), systemin, phytoalexins, elicitors and resistance genes and correspondingly expressed proteins and toxins. Traits that are furthermore particularly emphasized are the increased tolerance of the plants to certain herbicidally active compounds, for example imidazolinones, sulphonylureas, glyphosate or phosphinotricin (for example the “PAT” gene). The genes which impart the desired traits in question can also be present in combinations with one another in the transgenic plants. Examples of “Bt plants” which may be mentioned are maize varieties, cotton varieties, soya bean varieties and potato varieties which are sold under the trade names YIELD GARD® (for example maize, cotton, soya beans), KnockOut® (for example maize), StarLink® (for example maize), Bollgard® (cotton), Nucotn® (cotton) and NewLeaf® (potato). Examples of herbicide-tolerant plants which may be mentioned are maize varieties, cotton varieties and soya bean varieties which are sold under the trade names Roundup Ready® (tolerance to glyphosate, for example maize, cotton, soya bean), Liberty Link® (tolerance to phosphinotricin, for example oilseed rape), IMI® (tolerance to imidazolinones) and STS® (tolerance to sulphonylureas, for example maize). Herbicide-resistant plants (plants bred in a conventional manner for herbicide tolerance) which may be mentioned include the varieties sold under the name Clearfield® (for example maize). Of course, these statements also apply to plant cultivars having these or still to be developed genetic traits, which plants will be developed and/or marketed in the future.

The plants listed can be treated according to the invention in a particularly advantageous manner with the compounds of the general formula (I) or the active compound mixtures according to the invention. The preferred ranges stated above for the active compounds or mixtures also apply to the treatment of these plants. Particular emphasis is given to the treatment of plants with the compounds or the mixtures specifically mentioned in the present text.

The active compounds according to the invention act not only against plant, hygiene and stored product pests, but also in the veterinary medicine sector against animal parasites (ectoparasites), such as hard ticks, soft ticks, mange mites, leaf mites, flies (biting and licking), parasitic fly larvae, lice, hair lice, feather lice and fleas. These parasites include:

From the order of the Anoplurida, for example, Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp., Pediculus spp., Phtirus spp. and Solenopotes spp.

From the order of the Mallophagida and the suborders Amblycerina and Ischnocerina, for example, Trimenopon spp., Menopon, spp., Trinoton spp., Bovicola spp., Werneckiella spp., Lepikentron spp., Damalina spp., Trichodectes spp. and Felicola spp.

From the order of the Diptera and the suborders Nematocerina and Brachycerina, for example, Aedes spp., Anopheles spp., Culex spp., Simulium spp., Eusimulium spp., Phlebotomus spp., Lutzomyia spp., Culicoides spp., Chrysops spp., Hybomitra spp., Atylotus spp., Tabanus spp., Haematopota spp., Philipomyla spp., Braula spp., Musca spp., Hydrotaea spp., Stomoxys spp., Haematobia spp., Morellia spp., Fannia spp., Glossina spp., Calliphora spp., Lucilia spp., Chrysomyia spp., Wohlfahrtia spp., Sarcophaga spp., Oestrus spp., Hypoderma spp., Gasterophilus spp., Hippobosca spp., Lipoptena spp. and Melophagus spp.

From the order of the Siphonapterida, for example, Pulex spp., Ctenocephalides spp., Xenopsylla spp. and Ceratophyllus spp.

From the order of the Heteropterida, for example, Cimex spp., Triatoma spp., Rhodnius spp. and Panstrongylus spp.

From the order of the Blattarida, for example, Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta americana, Blattella germanica and Supella spp.

From the subclass of the Acaria (Acarida) and the orders of the Meta- and Mesostigmata, for example, Argas spp., Ornithodorus spp., Otobius spp., Ixodes spp., Amblyomma spp., Boophilus spp., Dermacentor spp., Haemophysalis spp., Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus spp., Dermanyssus spp., Raillietia spp., Pneumonyssus spp., Sternostoma spp. and Varroa spp.

From the order of the Actinedida (Prostigmata) and Acaridida (Astigmata), for example, Acarapis spp., Cheyletiella spp., Ornithocheyletia spp., Myobia spp., Psorergates spp., Demodex spp., Trombicula spp., Listrophorus spp., Acarus spp., Tyrophagus spp., Caloglyphus spp., Hypodectes spp., Pterolichus spp., Psoroptes spp., Chorioptes spp., Otodectes spp., Sarcoptes spp., Notoedres spp., Knemidocoptes spp., Cytodites spp. and Laminosioptes spp.

They have, for example, excellent activity against the development stages of ticks, against flies and against fleas.

The active compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention are also suitable for controlling arthropods which infest agricultural productive livestock, such as, for example, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, donkeys, camels, buffalo, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and bees, other pets, such as, for example, dogs, cats, caged birds and aquarium fish, and also so-called test animals, such as, for example, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats and mice. By controlling these arthropods, cases of death and reduction in productivity (for meat, milk, wool, hides, eggs, honey etc.) should be diminished, so that more economic and easier animal husbandry is possible by use of the active compounds according to the invention.

The active compounds according to the invention are used in the veterinary sector in a known manner by enteral administration in the form of, for example, tablets, capsules, potions, drenches, granules, pastes, boluses, the feed-through process and suppositories, by parenteral administration, such as, for example, by injection (intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, intraperitoneal and the like), implants, by nasal administration, by dermal use in the form, for example, of dipping or bathing, spraying, pouring on and spotting on, washing and powdering, and also with the aid of moulded articles containing the active compound, such as collars, ear marks, tail marks, limb bands, halters, marking devices and the like.

When used for cattle, poultry, pets and the like, the active compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention can be used as formulations (for example powders, emulsions, free-flowing compositions), which comprise the active compounds according to the invention in an amount of 1 to 80% by weight, directly or after 100 to 10 000-fold dilution, or they can be used as a chemical bath.

It has furthermore been found that the compounds according to the invention have a strong insecticidal action against insects which destroy industrial materials.

The following insects may be mentioned as examples and as preferred—but without a limitation:

Beetles, such as

-   Hylotrupes bajulus, Chlorophorus pilosis, Anobium punctatum,     Xestobium rufovillosum, Ptilinus pecticornis, Dendrobium pertinex,     Ernobius mollis, Priobium carpini, Lyctus brunneus, Lyctus     africanus, Lyctus planicollis, Lyctus linearis, Lyctus pubescens,     Trogoxylon aequale, Minthes rugicollis, Xyleborus spec.,     Tryptodendron spec., Apate monachus, Bostrychus capucins,     Heterobostrychus brunneus, Sinoxylon spec. and Dinoderus minutus.

Hymenopterons, such as

-   Sirex juvencus, Urocerus gigas, Urocerus gigas taignus and Urocerus     augur.

Termites, such as

-   Kalotermes flavicollis, Cryptotermes brevis, Heterotermes indicola,     Reticulitermes flavipes, Reticulitermes santonensis, Reticulitermes     lucifugus, Mastotermes darwiniensis, Zootermopsis nevadensis and     Coptotermes formosanus.

Bristletails, such as Lepisma saccharina.

Industrial materials in the present connection are to be understood as meaning non-living materials, such as, preferably, plastics, adhesives, sizes, papers and cards, leather, wood and processed wood products and coating compositions.

Wood and processed wood products are materials to be protected, especially preferably, from insect infestation.

Wood and processed wood products which can be protected by the agent according to the invention or mixtures comprising it are to be understood as meaning, for example:

-   building timber, wooden beams, railway sleepers, bridge components,     boat jetties, wooden vehicles, boxes, pallets, containers, telegraph     poles, wood panelling, wooden window frames and doors, plywood,     chipboard, joinery or wooden products which are used quite generally     in house-building or in building joinery.

The active compounds according to the invention can be used as such, in the form of concentrates or in generally customary formulations, such as, powders, granules, solutions, suspensions, emulsions or pastes.

The formulations mentioned can be prepared in a manner known per se, for example by mixing the active compounds according to the invention with at least one solvent or diluent, emulsifier, dispersing agent and/or binder or fixing agent, a water repellent, if appropriate siccatives and UV stabilizers and if appropriate dyestuffs and pigments, and also other processing auxiliaries.

The insecticidal compositions or concentrates used for the preservation of wood and wood-derived timber products comprise the active compound according to the invention in a concentration of 0.0001 to 95% by weight, in particular 0.001 to 60% by weight.

The amount of the compositions or concentrates employed depends on the nature and occurrence of the insects and on the medium. The optimum amount employed can be determined for the use in each case by series of tests. In general, however, it is sufficient to employ 0.0001 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.001 to 10% by weight, of the active compound, based on the material to be preserved.

Solvents and/or diluents which are used are an organic chemical solvent or solvent mixture and/or an oily or oil-like organic chemical solvent or solvent mixture of low volatility and/or a polar organic chemical solvent or solvent mixture and/or water, and if appropriate an emulsifier and/or wetting agent.

Organic chemical solvents which are preferably used are oily or oil-like solvents having an evaporation number above 35 and a flashpoint above 30° C., preferably above 45° C. Substances which are used as such oily or oil-like water-insoluble solvents of low volatility are appropriate mineral oils or aromatic fractions thereof, or solvent mixtures containing mineral oils, preferably white spirit, petroleum and/or alkylbenzene.

Mineral oils having a boiling range from 170 to 220° C., white spirit having a boiling range from 170 to 220° C., spindle oil having a boiling range from 250 to 350° C., petroleum and aromatics having a boiling range from 160 to 280° C., terpentine oil and the like, are advantageously employed.

In a preferred embodiment, liquid aliphatic hydrocarbons having a boiling range from 180 to 210° C. or high-boiling mixtures of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons having a boiling range from 180 to 220° C. and/or spindle oil and/or monochloronaphthalene, preferably α-monochloronaphthalene, are used.

The organic oily or oil-like solvents of low volatility which have an evaporation number above 35 and a flashpoint above 30° C., preferably above 45° C., can be replaced in part by organic chemical solvents of high or medium volatility, provided that the solvent mixture likewise has an evaporation number above 35 and a flashpoint above 30° C., preferably above 45° C., and that the insecticide/fungicide mixture is soluble or emulsifiable in this solvent mixture.

According to a preferred embodiment, some of the organic chemical solvent or solvent mixture is replaced by an aliphatic polar organic chemical solvent or solvent mixture. Aliphatic organic chemical solvents containing hydroxyl and/or ester and/or ether groups, such as, for example, glycol ethers, esters or the like, are preferably used.

Organic chemical binders which are used in the context of the present invention are the synthetic resins and/or binding drying oils which are known per se, are water-dilutable and/or are soluble or dispersible or emulsifiable in the organic chemical solvents employed, in particular binders consisting of or comprising an acrylate resin, a vinyl resin, for example polyvinyl acetate, polyester resin, polycondensation or. polyaddition resin, polyurethane resin, alkyd resin or modified alkyd resin, phenolic resin, hydrocarbon resin, such as indene-coumarone resin, silicone resin, drying vegetable oils and/or drying oils and/or physically drying binders based on a natural and/or synthetic resin.

The synthetic resin used as the binder can be employed in the form of an emulsion, dispersion or solution. Bitumen or bituminous substances can also be used as binders in an amount of up to 10% by weight. Dyestuffs, pigments, water-repelling agents, odour correctants and inhibitors or anticorrosive agents and the like which are known per se can additionally be employed.

It is preferred according to the invention for the composition or concentrate to comprise, as the organic chemical binder, at least one alkyd resin or modified alkyd resin and/or a drying vegetable oil. Alkyd resins having an oil content of more than 45% by weight, preferably 50 to 68% by weight, are preferably used according to the invention.

All or some of the binder mentioned can be replaced by a fixing agent (mixture) or a plasticizer (mixture). These additives are intended to prevent evaporation of the active compounds and crystallization or precipitation. They preferably replace 0.01 to 30% of the binder (based on 100% of the binder employed).

The plasticizers originate from the chemical classes of phthalic acid esters, such as dibutyl, dioctyl or benzyl butyl phthalate, phosphoric acid esters, such as tributyl phosphate, adipic acid esters, such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, stearates, such as butyl stearate or amyl stearate, oleates, such as butyl oleate, glycerol ethers or higher molecular weight glycol ethers, glycerol esters and p-toluenesulphonic acid esters.

Fixing agents are based chemically on polyvinyl alkyl ethers, such as, for example, polyvinyl methyl ether or ketones, such as benzophenone or ethylenebenzophenone.

Possible solvents or diluents are, in particular, also water, if appropriate as a mixture with one or more of the abovementioned organic chemical solvents or diluents, emulsifiers and dispersing agents.

Particularly effective preservation of wood is achieved by impregnation processes on a large industrial scale, for example vacuum, double vacuum or pressure processes.

The ready-to-use compositions can also comprise other insecticides, if appropriate, and also one or more fungicides, if appropriate.

Possible additional mixing partners are, preferably, the insecticides and fungicides mentioned in WO 94/29 268. The compounds mentioned in this document are an explicit constituent of the present application.

Very particularly preferred mixing partners which may be mentioned are insecticides, such as chlorpyriphos, phoxim, silafluofin, alphamethrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, permethrin, imidacloprid, NI-25, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, transfluthrin, thiacloprid, methoxyfenozide and triflumuron, and also fungicides, such as epoxyconazole, hexaconazole, azaconazole, propiconazole, tebuconazole, cyproconazole, metconazole, imazalil, dichlorfluanid, tolylfluanid, 3-iodo-2-propinyl-butyl carbamate, N-octyl-isothiazolin-3-one and 4,5-dichloro-N-octylisothiazolin-3-one.

The compounds according to the invention can at the same time be employed for protecting objects, which come into contact with salt water or brackish water, in particular-hulls, screens, nets, buildings, moorings and signalling systems, against fouling.

Fouling by sessile Oligochaeta, such as Serpulidae, and by shells and species from the Ledamorpha group (goose barnacles), such as various Lepas and Scalpellum species, or by species from the Balanomorpha group (acorn barnacles), such as Balanus or Pollicipes species, increases the frictional drag of ships and, as a consequence, leads to a marked increase in operation costs owing to higher energy consumption and additionally frequent residence in the dry dock.

Apart from fouling by algae, for example Ectocarpus sp. and Ceramium sp., fouling by sessile Entomostraka groups, which come under the generic term Cirripedia (cirriped crustaceans), is of particular importance.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that the compounds according to the invention, alone or in combination with other active compounds, have an outstanding antifouling action.

Using the compounds according to the invention, alone or in combination with other active compounds, allows the use of heavy metals such as, for example, in bis(trialkyltin) sulphides, tri-n-butyltin laurate, tri-n-butyltin chloride, copper(I) oxide, triethyltin chloride, tri-n-butyl(2-phenyl-4-chlorophenoxy)tin, tributyltin oxide, molybdenum disulphide, antimony oxide, polymeric butyl titanate, phenyl-(bispyridine)-bismuth chloride, tri-n-butyltin fluoride, manganese ethylenebisthio-carbamate, zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate, zinc ethylenebisthiocarbamate, zinc salts and copper salts of 2-pyridinethiol 1-oxide, bisdimethyldithiocarbamoylzinc ethylene-bisthiocarbamate, zinc oxide, copper(I) ethylene-bisdithiocarbamate, copper thiocyanate, copper naphthenate and tributyltin halides to be dispensed with, or the concentration of these compounds to be substantially reduced.

If appropriate, the ready-to-use antifouling paints can additionally comprise other active compounds, preferably algicides, fungicides, herbicides, molluscicides, or other antifouling active compounds.

Preferably suitable components in combinations with the antifouling compositions according to the invention are:

algicides such as

-   2-tert-butylamino-4-cyclopropylamino-6-methylthio-1,3,5-triazine,     dichlorophen, diuron, endothal, fentin acetate, isoproturon,     methabenzthiazuron, oxyfluorfen, quinoclamine and terbutryn;     fungicides such as -   benzo[b]thiophenecarboxylic acid cyclohexylamide S,S-dioxide,     dichlofluanid, fluorfolpet, 3-iodo-2-propinyl butylcarbamate,     tolylfluanid and azoles such as azaconazole, cyproconazole,     epoxyconazole, hexaconazole, metconazole, propiconazole and     tebuconazole;     molluscicides such as -   fentin acetate, metaldehyde, methiocarb, niclosamid, thiodicarb and     trimethacarb; -   or conventional antifouling active compounds such as -   4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, diiodomethylparatryl     sulphone, 2-(N,N-dimethylthiocarbamoylthio)-5-nitrothiazyl,     potassium, copper, sodium and zinc salts of 2-pyridinethiol 1-oxide,     pyridine-triphenylborane, tetrabutyldistannoxane,     2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulphonyl)-pyridine,     2,4,5,6-tetrachloroisophthalonitrile, tetramethylthiuram disulphide     and 2,4,6-trichlorophenylmaleimide.

The antifouling compositions used comprise the active compound according to the invention of the compounds according to the invention in a concentration of 0.001 to 50% by weight, in particular 0.01 to 20% by weight.

Moreover, the antifouling compositions according to the invention comprise the customary components such as, for example, those described in Ungerer, Chem. Ind. 1985, 37, 730-732 and Williams, Antifouling Marine Coatings, Noyes, Park Ridge, 1973.

Besides the algicidal, fungicidal, molluscicidal active compounds and insecticidal active compounds according to the invention, antifouling paints comprise, in particular, binders.

Examples of recognized binders are polyvinyl chloride in a solvent system, chlorinated rubber in a solvent system, acrylic resins in a solvent system, in particular in an aqueous system, vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer systems in the form of aqueous dispersions or in the form of organic solvent systems, butadiene/-styrene/acrylonitrile rubbers, drying oils such as linseed oil, resin esters or modified hardened resins in combination with tar or bitumens, asphalt and-epoxy compounds, small amounts of chlorine rubber, chlorinated polypropylene and vinyl resins.

If appropriate, paints also comprise inorganic pigments, organic pigments or colorants which are preferably insoluble in salt water. Paints may furthermore comprise materials such as colophonium to allow controlled release of the active compounds. Furthermore, the paints may comprise plasticizers, modifiers which affect the Theological properties and other conventional constituents. The compounds according to the invention or the abovementioned mixtures may also be incorporated into self-polishing antifouling systems.

The active compounds according to the invention are also suitable for controlling animal pests, in particular insects, arachnids and mites, which are found in enclosed spaces such as, for example, dwellings, factory halls, offices, vehicle cabins and the like. They can be employed alone or in combination with other active compounds and auxiliaries in domestic insecticide products for controlling these pests. They are active against sensitive and resistant species and against all development stages. These pests include:

From the order of the Scorpionidea, for example, Buthus occitanus.

From the order of the Acarina, for example, Argas persicus, Argas reflexus, Bryobia spp., Dermanyssus gallinae, Glyciphagus domesticus, Ornithodorus moubat, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Trombicula alfreddugesi, Neutrombicula autumnalis, Dermatophagoides pteronissimus and Dermatophagoides forinae.

From the order of the Araneae, for example, Aviculariidae and Araneidae.

From the order of the Opiliones, for example, Pseudoscorpiones chelifer, Pseudoscorpiones cheiridium and Opiliones phalangium.

From the order of the Isopoda, for example, Oniscus asellus and Porcellio scaber.

From the order of the Diplopoda, for example, Blaniulus guttulatus and Polydesmus spp.

From the order of the Chilopoda, for example, Geophilus spp.

From the order of the Zygentoma, for example, Ctenolepisma spp., Lepisma saccharina and Lepismodes inquilinus.

From the order of the Blattaria, for example, Blatta orientalies, Blattella germanica, Blattella asahinai, Leucophaea maderae, Panchlora spp., Parcoblatta spp., Periplaneta australasiae, Periplaneta americana, Periplaneta brunnea, Periplaneta fuliginosa and Supella longipalpa.

From the order of the Saltatoria, for example, Acheta domesticus.

From the order of the Dermaptera, for example, Forficula auricularia.

From the order of the Isoptera, for example, Kalotermes spp. and Reticulitermes spp.

From the order of the Psocoptera, for example, Lepinatus spp. and Liposcelis spp.

From the order of the Coleptera, for example, Anthrenus spp., Attagenus spp., Dermestes spp., Latheticus oryzae, Necrobia spp., Ptinus spp., Rhizopertha dominica, Sitophilus granarius, Sitophilus oryzae, Sitophilus zeamais and Stegobium paniceum.

From the order of the Diptera, for example, Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Aedes taeniorhynchus, Anopheles spp., Calliphora erythrocephala, Chrysozona pluvialis, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex pipiens, Culex tarsalis, Drosophila spp., Fannia canicularis, Musca domestica, Phlebotomus spp., Sarcophaga carnaria, Simulium spp., Stomoxys calcitrans and Tipula paludosa.

From the order of the Lepidoptera, for example, Achroia grisella, Galleria mellonella, Plodia interpunctella, Tinea cloacella, Tinea pellionella and Tineola bisselliella.

From the order of the Siphonaptera, for example, Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis, Pulex irritans, Tunga penetrans and Xenopsylla cheopis.

From the order of the Hymenoptera, for example, Camponotus herculeanus, Lasius fuliginosus, Lasius niger, Lasius umbratus, Monomorium pharaonis, Paravespula spp. and Tetramorium caespitum.

From the order of the Anoplura, for example, Pediculus humanus capitis, Pediculus humanus corporis and Phthirus pubis.

From the order of the Heteroptera, for example, Cimex hemipterus, Cimex lectularius, Rhodinus prolixus and Triatoma infestans.

In the field of household insecticides, they are used alone or in combination with other suitable active compounds, such as phosphoric acid esters, carbamates, pyrethroids, growth regulators or active compounds from other known classes of insecticides.

They are used as aerosols, pressure-free spray products, for example pump and atomizer sprays, automatic fogging systems, foggers, foams, gels, evaporator products with evaporator tablets made of cellulose or polymer, liquid evaporators, gel and membrane evaporators, propeller-driven evaporators, energy-free, or passive evaporation systems, moth papers, moth bags and moth gels, as granules or dusts, in baits for spreading or in bait stations.

The preparation and use of the substances according to the invention is shown in the examples below.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES Example 1

0.57 g (3 mmol) of 4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinethiol and 1.66 g (12 mmol) of potassium carbonate are initially charged in 30 ml of acetonitrile. 0.41 g (3 mmol) of isopropyl 2-chloroacetate are added, and the mixture is then stirred at 60° C. for 16 h. For work-up, the reaction mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure and partitioned between water and methylene chloride and the organic phase is dried and concentrated under reduced pressure.

This gives 0.72 g (79% of theory) of isopropyl {[4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]thio}-acetate as an oil.

HPLC: log P (pH 2.3)=2.56.

Example 2

35.6 mg (0.188 mmol) of 4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinethiol and 104 mg (0.752 mmol) of potassium carbonate are initially charged in 5 ml of tetrahydrofuran. 34.0 mg (0.188 mmol) of ethyl 2-bromopropionate are added and the mixture is then stirred at 60° C. for 16 h. For work-up, 0.5 ml of water and 2 ml of ethyl acetate are added and the reaction mixture is stirred for 30 min, passed through an Extrelut silica gel cartridge and then concentrated under reduced pressure.

This gives 41 mg (70% of theory) of ethyl-2-{[4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]thio}-propanoate.

HPLC: log P (pH 2.3)=2.74.

Example 3

0.57 g (3 mmol) of 4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinethiol and 1.66 g (12 mmol) of potassium carbonate are initially charged in 30 ml of acetonitrile. 0.65 g (3 mmol) of N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-2-chloroacetamide is added, and the mixture is then stirred at 60° C. for 16 h. For work-up, the mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure and partitioned between water and methylene chloride and the organic phase is dried and concentrated under reduced pressure.

This gives 1.09 g (81% of theory) of N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-2-{[4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]thio}acetamide.

HPLC: log P (pH 2.3)=2.73.

m.p. 142° C.

Example 4

0.30 g (1.04 mmol) of ethyl [(4-bromo-6-methyl-2-pyrimidinyl)thio]acetate, 0.38 g (1.04 mmol) of 2-(tributylstannyl)pyridine and 0.06 g (0.05 mmol) of tetrakis(triphenylphospine)palladium are initially charged under argon in 10 ml of xylene and refluxed for 16 h. For work-up, the mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure and the crude product is chromatographed on silica gel (mobile phase: dichloromethane).

This gives 0.215 g (70% of theory) of ethyl {[4-methyl-6-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]thio}acetate.

HPLC: log P (pH 2.3)=2.45.

Example 5

0.71 g (3 mmol) of 2-(methylsulphonyl)-4-(2-pyridinyl)pyrimidine and 0.33 g (3 mmol) of triethylamine are initially charged in 30 ml of ethanol, 0.46 g (3.3 mmol) of ethyl glycinate hydrochloride are added and the mixture is heated at reflux for 16 h. For work-up, the reaction mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure, taken up in dichloromethane, washed with sodium bicarbonate solution and citric acid solution, dried and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product is chromatographed on silica gel (mobile phase: dichloromethane/acetone 95:5).

This gives 0.12 g (13% of theory) of ethyl N-(4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]glycinate.

HPLC log P (pH 2.3)=1.14.

m.p. 85° C.

Example 6

0.41 g (1.74 mmol) of 2-(methylsulphonyl)-4-(2-pyridinyl)pyrimidine and 0.48 g (3.49 mmol) of potassium carbonate are initially charged in 20 ml of DMF, 0.29 g (1.92 mmol) of ethyl N-methyl-glycinate hydrochloride are added and the mixture is stirred at 80° C. for 16 h. For work-up, the mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure, the residue is taken up in dichloromethane and the mixture is washed with sodium bicarbonate solution and citric acid solution, dried and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product is chromatographed on silica gel (mobile phase: dichloromethane/acetone 95:5).

This gives 0.14 g (30% of theory) of ethyl N-methyl-N-[4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]glycinate as an oil.

HPLC: log P (pH 2.3)=1.66.

Example 7

0.71 g (3 mmol) of 2-(methylsulphonyl)-4-(2-pyridinyl)pyrimidine is initially charged in 3 ml of ethyl glycolate. At a temperature of below 35° C., 0.18 g (4.5 mmol) of sodium hydride (60%) is then added a little at a time. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for another 30 min, after which water is added, and the mixture is extracted with dichloromethane. The crude product is chromatographed on silica gel (mobile phase: dichloromethane/acetone 95:5).

This gives 0.39 g (46% of theory) of ethyl {[4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]oxy}acetate.

HPLC: log P (pH 2.3)=1.73

m.p. 48-53° C.

Example 8

0.88 g (5 mmol) of 3-(dimethyl-amino)-1-(2-pyridinyl)-2-propen-1-one, 0.91 g (5 mmol) of methyl 2-amino-2-iminoethylcarbamate hydrochloride and 0.68 g (10 mmol) of sodium ethoxide are initially charged in 20 ml of ethanol and refluxed for 16 h. For work-up, the mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure, the residue is taken up in dichloromethane and the mixture is washed with a citric acid solution, dried and concentrated under reduced pressure.

This gives 0.35 g (25% of theory) of ethyl [4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]methylcarbamate.

HPLC: log P (pH 2.3)=1.14.

Example 9

0.6 g (2.6 mmol) of 4-(2-pyridinyl)-pyrimidine-2-thioacetonitrile and 0.54 g (2.6 mmol) of trimethyltin azide in 30 ml of toluene are heated under reflux for 16 h. For work-up, the mixture is concentrated, the residue is dissolved in sodium hydroxide solution (10% strength in water) and the mixture is filtered to remove undissolved components. The filtrate is adjusted to pH 4 using hydrochloric acid (10% strength in water) and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is dried and concentrated under reduced pressure. To remove the last remaining traces of tin derivatives, the crude product is dissolved in dichloromethane and stirred with a saturated potassium fluoride solution for 5 hours. The organic phase is dried once more and concentrated under reduced pressure.

This gives 0.4 g (57% of theory) of 4-(2-pyridinyl)-pyrimidine-2-thiomethyl-tetrazole.

m.p. 162° C.

Preparation of Starting Materials

Nitriles of the Formula (XIV)

0.95 g (5 mmol) of 4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinethiol, 0.75 g (10 mmol) of chloroacetonitrile and 2.46 g (30 mmol) of sodium acetate in 30 ml of ethanol are boiled under reflux for 6 hours and then concentrated. The mixture is partitioned between dichloromethane and water and the organic phase is then separated off, dried and concentrated.

This gives 0.95 g (75% of theory) of 4-(2-pyridinyl)-pyrimidine-2-thioacetonitrile.

HPLC: log P (pH 2.3)=1.68.

Methylthio Derivatives of the Formula

4.73 g (25 mmol) of 4-(2-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinethiol and 5.18 g (37.5 mmol) of potassium carbonate are initially charged in 50 ml of acetonitrile. 3.55 g (25 mmol) of iodomethane are added dropwise, and the mixture is stirred at 40° C. for 16 h. For work-up, the mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure, the residue is partitioned between water and methylene chloride and the organic phase is dried and concentrated under reduced pressure.

This gives 4.45 g (81% of theory) of 2-(methylthio)-4-(2-pyridinyl)pyrimidine.

HPLC: log P (pH 2.3)=1.93.

Methylsulphonylpyrimidines of the Formula (VII)

4.07 g (20 mmol) of 2-(methylthio)-4-(2-pyridinyl)pyrimidine are dissolved in 100 ml of dichloromethane. With ice-cooling, 10.85 g (44 mmol) of m-chloroperbenzoic acid (70% strength) are added a little at a time, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The organic phase is washed successively with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and sodium bisulphite solution, dried and concentrated under reduced pressure.

This gives 3.6 g (53% of theory) of 2-(methylsulphonyl)-4-(2-pyridinyl)pyrimidine.

HPLC: log P (pH 2.3)=0.99.

The compounds listed in the table below can be prepared according to one of the processes according to the invention described above.

log P m.p./ No. Structure (pH 2.3) ° C. 10

1.81 95 11

1.14 181 12

1.37 125 13

2.17 78-80 14

1.76 15

2.88 16

2.76 17

2.37 108 18

2.40 68 19

2.99 88 20

1.97 21

3.53 22

2.58 23

2.34 95 24

2.16 25

2.68 26

3.50 118 27

3.84 28

1.80 120 29

0.69 172 30

2.92 31

2.70 32

1.81 33

2.58 34

1.89 183 35

2.96 86 36

0.55 157 37

2.93 38

2.96 39

2.72 40

2.76 41

2.83 42

2.82 43

3.40 44

2.64 45

2.69 46

2.62 47

2.64 48

2.42 49

2.01 50

2.58 51

2.58 52

1.94 53

1.71 54

2.38 55

2.00 56

2.56 57

2.48 58

0.95 59

2.29 60

1.94 61

2.67 62

1.14 63

2.31 64

1.82 65

1.55 66

2.09 67

1.83 68

1.75 69

1.56 70

1.65 71

72

73

74

75

76

2.35 77

3.46 136 78

2.13 87-95 79

2.68 80

3.96 81

82

83

3.37 84

2.72 85

6.15 86

7.22 87

88

3.86 89

3.56 90

91

3.59 92

93

2.82 94

3.48 95

2.29 96

3.18 97

98

2.34 99

1.04 100

3.07 101

2.81 117 102

2.20 60 103

1.80 105 104

3.67 105

2.46 106

3.01 107

3.50 108

0.89 109

3.57 110

1.13 111

3.19 112

3.11 113

2.55 114

3.34 115

3.30 116

2.25 117

2.69 118

3.24 119

3.37 120

3.59 121

3.06 122

2.26 123

2.78 124

2.31 125

3.31 126

2.29 127

1.76 128

2.50 129

2.51 130

3.51 131

3.45 132

133

3.06 134

0.43 184 135

2.23 220 136

0.44 195 137

3.22 138

2.92 139

3.20 140

1.13 141

2.63 142

2.79 143

144

145

146

2.3 147

3.04 148

3.35 149

3.01 150

4.95 151

2.94 152

2.45 153

3.2 154

3.60 155

156

157

158

1.98 159

4.00 160

1.59 161

1.16 162

163

1.11 164

2.05 165

1.64 166

167

168

3.48 169

170

171

172

1.79 173

1.67 174

175

1.64 176

1.93 177

1.41 178

2.20 179

2.29 180

181

182

183

184

185

186

3.46 187

188

1.97 189

190

3.05 191

2.02 192

1.63 193

2.46 194

2.95 195

2.72 196

2.66 197

1.79 198

2.20 199

2.64 200

2.21 201

1.02 202

203

2.78 204

1.20 205

3.81 206

1.64 207

2.61 208

209

1.32 210

1.42 211

2.75 212

2.13 213

1.42 214

2.13 215

3.48 216

2.04 217

1.40 218

219

220

1.12 221

3.00 222

2.51 223

224

2.49 225

226

227

228

229

230

1.96 231

1.97 232

233

234

1.97 235

236

2.70 237

238

239

240

241

242

243

3.20 244

245

2.19 246

2.54 247

248

2.65 249

1.69 250

1.97 251

252

2.25 253

3.19 254

2.98 255

256

3.23 257

3.48 258

259

2.69 260

261

1.62 262

3.54 263

264

265

1.85 266

2.22 267

268

1.34 269

2.53 270

271

2.18 64-65 272

273

274

275

276

277

278

279

280

281

2.04 282

283

284

285

286

287

288

289

290

291

292

293

294

295

296

3.49 297

298

2.51 299

1.17 162 300

1.59 301

1.24 302

2.69 303

2.57 304

5.37 305

3.39 306

2.77 307

3.31 308

2.25 309

2.16 310

1.93 311

3.39 312

3.61 313

2.28 314

0.96 315

2.13 316

3.55 317

1.68 318

319

320

The stated log P values were determined in accordance with EEC Directive 79/831 Annex V.A8 by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) using a reversed-phase column, (C 18). Temperature: 43° C.

Mobile phases for the determination in the acidic range: 0.1% aqueous phosphoric acid, acetonitrile; linear gradient from 10% acetonitrile to 90% acetonitrile.

Calibration was carried out using unbranched alkan-2-ones (having 3 to 16 carbon atoms) with known logP values (determination of the logP values by the retention times using linear interpolation between two successive alkanones).

The lambda max values were determined in the maxima of the chromatographic signals using the UV spectra from 200 nm to 400 nm.

Use Examples Example A

Aphis gossypii Test

Solvent: 30 parts by weight of dimethylformamide Emulsifier:  1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containing water to the desired concentration.

Cotton leaves (Gossypium hirsutum) which are heavily infested by the cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) are treated by being dipped into the preparation of active compound of the desired concentration.

After the desired period of time, the kill in % is determined. 100% means that all aphids have been killed; 0% means that none of the aphids have been killed.

Active compounds, active compound concentration and test results are shown in the table below.

TABLE A Plant-damaging insects Aphis gossypii test Concentration Kill of active rate in compound in % Active compounds in ppm after 6^(d)

200 85

200 85

200 90

Example B

Franklinella Test

Solvent: 3 parts by weight of dimethylformamide Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To product a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted to the desired concentration.

Cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus) which are heavily infested by all stages of thrips (Franklinella occidentalis) are sprayed with a preparation of active compound of the desired concentration.

After the desired period of time, the effect in % is determined. 100% means that all thrips have been killed; 0% means that none of the thrips have been killed.

Active compounds, active compound concentration and test results are shown in the table below.

TABLE B Plant-damaging insects Franklinella test Concentration of active compound Kill rate Active compounds in ppm in % after 7^(d)

1000 99

Example C

Meloidogyne Test

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

Vessels are filled with sand, solution of active compound, Meloidogyne incognita egg/larvae suspension and lettuce seeds. The lettuce seeds germinate and the plants develop. On the roots, galls are formed.

After the desired period of time, the nematicidal action is determined in % by the gall formation. 100% means that no galls were found; 0% means that the number of galls on the treated plants corresponds to that of the untreated control.

The amount of solvent, amount of emulsifier, active compounds, active compound concentration and test results are shown in the tables below.

TABLE C-1 Plant-damaging nematodes Meloidogyne test Solvent: 30 parts by weight of dimethylformamide Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether Concentration of active Kill rate compound in % Active compounds in ppm after 14^(d)

20  90

20  90

20  98

20  90

20  98

20  95

20 100

TABLE C-2 Plant-damaging nematodes Meloidogyne test Solvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide Emulsifier: 2 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether Concentration of active compound Kill rate in Active compounds in ppm % after 14^(d)

20  80

20 100

20  90

20  90

20 100

20  90

Example D

Myzus Test

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containing water to the desired concentration.

Cabbage leaves (Brassica oleracea) which are heavily infested by peach aphids (Myzus persicae) are treated by being dipped into the preparation of the active compound of the desired concentration.

After the desired period of time, the kill in % is determined. 100% means that all aphids have been killed; 0% means that none of the aphids has been killed.

The amount of solvent, amount of emulsifier, active compounds, active compound concentration and test results are shown in the tables below.

TABLE D-1 Plant-damaging insects Myzus test Solvent: 30 parts by weight of dimethylformamide Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether Concentration of active Kill rate compound in % Active compounds in ppm after 6^(d)

 100 100

1000 100

1000  95

1000 100

1000  95

1000 100

 100  95

1000  95

1000 100

1000 100

1000 100

 200  95

TABLE D-2 Plant-damaging insects Myzus test Solvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide Emulsifier: 2 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether Concentration of active Kill rate compound in % Active compounds in ppm after 6^(d)

500  98

500  98

500  98

500 100

500 100

500  95

500  95

500 100

500  95

500  80

500  95

500  90

500  98

Example E

Phaedon larvae Test

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containing water to the desired concentration.

Cabbage leaves (Brassica oleracea) are treated by being dipped into the preparation of active compound of the desired concentration and are populated with larvae of the mustard beetle (Phaedon cochleariae) while the leaves are still moist.

After the desired period of time, the kill in % is determined. 100% means that all beetle larvae have been killed; 0% means that none of the beetle larvae have been killed.

The amount of solvent, amount of emulsifier, active compounds, active compound concentration and test results are shown in the tables below.

TABLE E-1 Plant-damaging insects Phaedon larvae test Solvent: 30 parts by weight of dimethylformamide Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether Concentration of active compound Kill rate Active compounds in ppm in % after 7^(d)

1000 100

TABLE E-2 Plant-damaging insects Phaedon larvae test Solvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide Emulsifier: 2 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether Concentration of active compound Kill rate Active compounds in ppm in % after 7^(d)

500 100

500 100

500 100

Example F

Spodoptera frugiperda Test

Solvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide Emulsifier: 2 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containing water to the desired concentration.

Cabbage leaves (Brassica oleracea) are treated by being dipped into the preparation of active compound of the desired concentrated and are populated with caterpillars of the army worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) while the leaves are still moist.

After the desired period of time, the kill in % is determined. 100% means that all caterpillars have been killed; 0% means that none of the caterpillars has been killed.

Active compounds, active compound concentrations and test results are shown in the table below.

TABLE F Plant-damaging insects Spodoptera frugiperda test Concentration of active Kill rate compound in % Active compounds in ppm after 7^(d)

500 100

500 100

500 100

Example G

Diabrotica balteata Test (Larvae in Soil)

Critical concentration test/soil insects—treatment of transgenic plants

Solvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent, the stated amount of emulsifier is added and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

The preparation of active compound is poured onto the soil. Here, the concentration of active compound in the preparation is virtually immaterial, only the amount by weight of active compound per volume unit of soil, which is stated in ppm (mg/l), matters. The soil is filled into 0.25 l pots, and these are allowed to stand at 20° C.

Immediately after the preparation, 5 pregerminated maize corns of the cultivar YIELD GUARD (trade mark of Monsanto Comp., USA) are placed into each pot. After 2 days, the corresponding test insects are placed into the treated soil. After a further 7 days, the efficacy of the active compound is determined by counting the number of maize plants that have emerged (1 plant=20% activity).

Example H

Heliothis virescens Test (Treatment of Transgenic Plants)

Solvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent and the stated amount of emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

Soya bean shoots (Glycine max) of the cultivar Roundup Ready (trade mark of Monsanto Comp., USA) are treated by being dipped into the preparation of active compound of the desired concentration and populated with the tobacco bud worm caterpillar Heliothis virescens while the leaves are still moist.

After the desired period of time, the kill in % is determined. 100% means that all caterpillars have been killed; 0% means that none of the caterpillars have been killed. 

1. A pyridylpyrimidine of formula (I)

in which R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, or cycloalkyl; or represent optionally substituted aryl, or arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, or R¹ and R² together represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen and the resulting ring is optionally substituted by halogen or alkyl, X represents halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or, when n represents 2, 3 or 4, two adjacent X together optionally represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen, n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2, 3 or 4, Y represents a direct bond, oxygen, —S(O)_(p)—, or —NR⁹—, p represents 0, 1 or 2, Z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)—, or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, r represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R represents the group

where A represents oxygen, sulphur, or NR¹⁵ and E represents —SR¹⁶ or —S-M, or where A represents sulphur or NR¹⁵ and E represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, or —S-M, or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimic) selected from the group consisting of

M represents ammonium that is optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl; or represents an alkali metal ion, or represents an alkaline earth metal ion forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R³ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, R⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl or alkylcarbonyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent alkylidene; or represent optionally halogen-, nitro-, alkyl-, or halogenoalkyl-substituted benzylidene; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains a further nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and is optionally be substituted by alkyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl or arylalkyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl or arylalkyl, R⁸ represents alkyl or halogenoalkyl, R⁹ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, R¹⁰ represents halogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents aryl or arylalkyl that are optionally substituted in the aryl moiety by halogen or alkyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen or alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkyl or alkoxy, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl or halogenoalkyl, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano or dialkylamino, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents optionally halogen-, amino-, hydroxyl-, cyano-, nitro-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkenyloxy-carbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-, alkenylcarbonyloxy-, oxyalkyleneoxy-, oxetanyl-, dioxanyl-, oxazolidinyl-, dioxolanyl-, aryloxy-, halogenoaryloxy-, —CONR⁴R⁵—, —NR⁴R⁵—, —ONR⁴R⁵—, or —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or represents —NR⁴R⁵; represents Q; or represents optionally substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl or nitro, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings when two or more R¹¹ are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where each repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping optionally has identical or different meanings when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen, alkyl or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent alkylene, R²¹ represents hydrogen, represents optionally alkylcarbonyloxy- or alkoxy-substituted alkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, cyano-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkylcarbonyl-, alkoxycarbonyl-, or alkylene-substituted aryl, R²² represents hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl.
 2. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere selected from the group consisting of

where R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl or halogenoalkyl.
 3. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R¹⁶ represents hydrogen, represents optionally halogen-, amino-, hydroxyl-, cyano-, nitro-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkenyloxycarbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-, alkenylcarbonyloxy-, oxyalkyleneoxy-, oxetanyl-, dioxanyl-, oxazolidinyl-, dioxolanyl-, aryloxy-, halogenoaryloxy-, —CONR⁴R⁵—, —NR⁴R⁵—, —ONR⁴R⁵—, or —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl; represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, or alkylcarbonyloxy-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; represents —NR⁴R⁵; or represents Q.
 4. A pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-halogenoalkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-alkynyloxy, C₂-C₆-halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, or C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl; or represent aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl or 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, and C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, or R¹ and R² together represent C₃-C₅-alkylene or C₃-C₄-alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms that are 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms and/or 0 or 1 oxygen atom, and where the resulting ring is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen and C₁-C₆-alkyl, X represents halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-halogenoalkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-alkynyloxy, C₂-C₆-halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶; —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl that contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms; or, when n represents 2 or 3, two adjacent radicals X together optionally represent C₃-C₅-alkylene or C₃-C₄-alkenylene, where the carbon chain s optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms that are 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms and/or 0 or 1 oxygen atom, n represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2 or 3, Y represents a direct bond, oxygen, —S(O)_(p)—, or —NR⁹—, p represents 0, 1 or 2, Z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)—, or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, r represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R represents the group

where A represents oxygen, sulphur, or NR¹⁵ and E represents —SR¹⁶ or —S-M, or where A represents sulphur or NR¹⁵ and E represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, or —S-M, or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimetic), selected from the group consisting of

M represents ammonium which is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl, aryl, and aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, or represents a lithium cation (Li⁺), a sodium cation (Na⁺) or a potassium cation (K⁺), or represents a magnesium cation (Mg²⁺) or a calcium cation (Ca²⁺) forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R³ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, or C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, or 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, and C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, R⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, or C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent C₁-C₆-alkylidene; or represent benzylidene that is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkyl, and C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyle that optionally contain a further nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and that is optionally be mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different C₁-C₆-alkyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl or aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, aryl or aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, R⁸ represents C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, R⁹ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, or C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, or 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, and C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, R¹⁰ represents halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, or C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl; or represents aryl or aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl that is optionally mono- or polysubstituted in the aryl moiety by identical or different substitutents selected from the group consisting of halogen and C₁-C₆-alkyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl, or C₁-C₆-alkoxy, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, cyano, or di(C₁-C₆-alkyl)-amino, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents C₁-C₁₆-alkyl, C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, each of which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy, C₂-C₆-alkenylcarbonyloxy, oxy(C₁-C₆-alkylene)oxy, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, aryloxy, halogenoaryloxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵ and —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl and C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy; represents —NR⁴R⁵; represents Q; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, where the substitutents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl or nitro, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings when two or more are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping may has identical or different meanings when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent C₂-C₄-alkylene, R²¹ represents hydrogen, represents C₁-C₆-alkyl that is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy, and C₁-C₆-alkoxy; or represents aryl which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxycarbonyl, and C₃-C₅-alkylene, R²² represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, or C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, C₁-C₆-alkyl, or C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl.
 5. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I) according to claim 4 wherein R represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere selected from the group consisting of

R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl.
 6. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I) according to claim 4 wherein R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents C₁-C₁₆-alkyl, C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, each of which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy, C₂-C₆-alkenylcarbonyloxy, oxy(C₁-C₆-alkylene)oxy, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, aryloxy, halogenoaryloxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵, and —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, or 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl and C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy; represents —NR⁴R⁵; or represents Q.
 7. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl; or represent aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, or 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl that contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, and C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, or R¹ and R² together represent C₃-C₅-alkylene or C₃-C₄-alkenylene, where the carbon chain are optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms that are 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms and/or 0 or 1 oxygen atom and where the resulting ring is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and C₁-C₄-alkyl, X represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, or when n represents 2, two adjacent radicals X together optionally represent C₃-C₄-alkylene or C₃-C₄-alkenylene, where the carbon chain may be interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms that are 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms and/or 0 or 1 oxygen atom, n represents 0, 1 or 2, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2, Y represents a direct bond, oxygen, —S(O)_(p)—, or —NR⁹—, p represents 0, 1 or 2, Z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)—, or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, r represents 1, 2, 3 or 4, t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R represents the group

where A represents oxygen, sulphur, and E represents —SR¹⁶ or —S-M, or where A represents sulphur and E represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, or —S-M, or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimic) selected from the group consisting of

M represents ammonium which is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl, benzyl and phenylethyl; or represents a sodium cation (Na⁺) or a potassium cation (K⁺), or represents a magnesium cation (Mg²⁺) or a calcium cation (Ca²⁺) forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R³ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl; represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contain 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, and C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, R⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent C₁-C₄-alkylidene; or represent benzylidene that is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl, and C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains a further nitrogen, oxygen, or sulphur atom and is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different C₁-C₄-alkyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, or aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, aryl, or aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, R⁸ represents C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, R⁹ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, and C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, R¹⁰ represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl; or represents aryl or aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl that are optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted in the aryl moiety by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and C₁-C₄-alkyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, cyano or di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, decenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, each of which is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy, C₂-C₄-alkenylcarbonyloxy, oxy(C₁-C₄-alkylene)oxy, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, aryloxy, halogenoaryloxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵, and —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴; represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, or 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated, heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstitutred by identical or different substitutents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, and C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy; represents Q; represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, decenyl, or C₂-C₄-alkynyl, each of which is optionally substituted up to the maximum possible number by identical or different substituents from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine and bromine; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl or nitro, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings when two or more R¹¹ are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping optionally has identical or different meanings when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen C₁-C₄-alkyl or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent C₂-C₃-alkylene, R²¹ represents hydrogen; represents C₁-C₄-alkyl which is optionally mono- or disubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy and C₁-C₄-alkoxy; or represents aryl which that is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl, and C₃-C₅-alkylene, R²² represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl.
 8. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I) according to claim 7 wherein R represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere selected from the group consisting of

where R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, or C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms.
 9. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I) according to claim 7 wherein R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, decenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, each of which is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy, C₂-C₄-alkenylcarbonyloxy, oxy(C₁-C₄-alkylene)oxy, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, aryloxy, halogenoaryloxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵, and —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴; represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated, heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstitutred by identical or different substitutents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, and C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy; or represents Q.
 10. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H, —CF₂CHFCF₃, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, —SCF₃, —SCHF₂, —SO₂Me, —SO₂CHF₂, —SO₂CF₃, —SOCHF₂, —SOCF₃, —COMe, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, amino, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl; or represent phenyl, benzyl, pyridinyl, furyl, or furfuryl, each of which is optionally substituted by chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, or trifluoromethoxy, or R¹ and R² together represent propylene, butylene, propenylene butadienylene, —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—NH—CH₂—, —CH═CH—N═CH—, —CH═CCl—CH═CH—, X represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H, —CF₂CHFCF₃, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, —SCF₃, —SCHF₂, —SO₂Me, —SO₂CHF₂, —SO₂CF₃, —SOCHF₂, —SOCF₃, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, amino, —NHMe, —NMe₂, —CHO, —COMe, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, —NHCOMe, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl, imidazyl, pyrazyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl, triazinyl, triazyl; or represents methylthio, ethylthio, n-propylthio, or isopropylthio; or when n represents 2, two adjacent radicals X together optionally represent propylene, butylene, propenylene or butadienylene, —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—NH—CH₂—, or —CH═CH—N═CH—, n represents 0, 1 or 2, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2, Y represents a direct bond, oxygen, —S(O)_(p)—, or —NR⁹—, p represents 0, 1 or 2, Z represents —CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —(CHR¹⁰)—, —CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—NH—, —CH═CH—, —CH₂—CH═CH—, —CH═C(OH)—, —CH═C(OMe)—, or —CH₂—C(OMe)═CH—; or represents —CH₂—C(OEt)═CH—, R represents the group

where A represents oxygen or sulphur and E represents —SR¹⁶ or —S-M, or where A represents sulphur E represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, or —S-M, M represents tetrabutylammonium, trimethylbenzylammonium; or represents a sodium cation (Na⁺) or a potassium cation (K⁺), or represents a magnesium cation (Mg²⁺) or a calcium cation (Ca²⁺), forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, or —COMe, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, vinyl, propargyl, methoxy, methoxymethyl, —COMe, —COEt, tert-butoxycarbonyl, oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent ethylidene, isopropylidene, sec-butylidene, or nitrobenzylidene; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocycle selected from the group consisting of morpholine, piperidine, thiomorpholine, pyrrolidine, tetrahydropyridine, which is optionally mono- or disubstituted by methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, R⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H or —CF₂CHFCF₃, R⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CH₂CF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl, R¹⁰ represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —COMe, —COEt, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, or cyclohexyl; represents phenyl or benzyl, that are opitonally mono- to tetrasubstituted in the aryl moiety by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and methyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, or tert-butyl, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl or cyano, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, siamyl, hexyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl, 2-isopentenyl, hexenyl, n-decenyl, ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, each of which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, trichloromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, methylcarbonyloxy, vinylcarbonyloxy, —O—(CH₂)₂—O—, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, phenoxy, fluorophenoxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵, and —CH═N—OCH₃; represents phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylethyl, oxetanyl, oxazolanyl, dioxanyl, dioxolanyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl, imidazolyl, pyrazyl, thiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl, triazinyl, triazolyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thietanyl, thietane dioxide, oxetanylmethyl, oxazolanylmethyl, dioxanylmethyl, dioxolanylmethyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl, pyrrolylmethyl, oxazolylmethyl, isoxazylmethyl, imidazolylmethyl, pyrazylmethyl, thiazolylmethyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyrimidinylmethyl, pyridazylmethyl, triazinylmethyl, triazolylmethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, thietanylmethyl, thietane dioxide methyl, oxetanylethyl, oxazolanylethyl, dioxanylethyl, dioxolanylethyl, furylethyl, thienylethyl, pyrrolylethyl, oxazolylethyl, isoxazylethyl, imidazolylethyl, pyrazylethyl, thiazolylethyl, pyridinylethyl, pyrimidinylethyl, pyridazylethyl, triazinylethyl, triazolylethyl, tetrahydropyranylethyl, thietanylethyl, thietane dioxide ethyl, each of which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H, —CF₂CHFCF₃, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, methylcarbonyloxy and ethylcarbonyloxy; represents Q; represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, siamyl, hexyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl, 2-isopentenyl, hexenyl, n-decenyl, ethynyl, propynyl, or butynyl, each of which is optionally substituted up to the maximum possible number by identical or different radicals selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine and bromine; or represents phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylethyl, oxetanyl, oxazolanyl, dioxanyl, dioxolanyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl, imidazolyl, pyrazyl, thiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl, triazinyl, triazolyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thietanyl, thietane dioxide, oxetanylmethyl, oxazolanylmethyl, dioxanylmethyl, dioxolanylmethyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl, pyrrolylmethyl, oxazolylmethyl, isoxazylmethyl, imidazolylmethyl, pyrazylmethyl, thiazolylmethyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyrimidinylmethyl, pyridazylmethyl, triazinylmethyl, triazolylmethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, thietanylmethyl, thietane dioxide methyl, oxetanylethyl, oxazolanylethyl, dioxanylethyl, dioxolanylethyl, furylethyl, thienylethyl, pyrrolylethyl, oxazolylethyl, isoxazylethyl, imidazolylethyl, pyrazylethyl, thiazolylethyl, pyridinylethyl, pyrimidinylethyl, pyridazylethyl, triazinylethyl, triazolylethyl, tetrahydropyranylethyl, thietanylethyl, or thietane dioxide ethyl, each of which is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl and nitro, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or differente meanings when two or more R¹¹ are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping has the same or different meanings when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃—, R²¹ represents hydrogen, represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, or tert-butyl, each of which is optionally monosubstituted by tert-butylcarbonyloxy or methoxy; or represents phenyl that is optionally mono- or disubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of chlorine, cyano, methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethyl, sec-butyloxycarbonyl, tert-butyloxycarbonyl, n-octyloxycarbonyl and —(CH₂)₄—, R²² represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or methoxymethyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or methoxymethyl.
 11. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I) according to claim 10 wherein X represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H, —CF₂CHFCF₃, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, —SCF₃, —SCHF₂, —SO₂Me, —SO₂CHF₂, —SO₂CF₃, —SOCHF₂, —SOCF₃, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, amino, —NHMe, —NMe₂, —CHO, —COMe, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, —NHCOMe, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl, imidazyl, pyrazyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl, triazinyl, or triazyl; or when n represents 2, two adjacent radicals X together represent propylene, butylene, propenylene, butadienylene, —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—NH—CH₂—, or —CH═CH—N═CH—; Z represents —CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —(CHR¹⁰)—, —CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—NH—, —CH═CH—, —CH₂—CH═CH—, —CH═C(OH)—, —CH═C(OMe)—, or —CH₂—C(OMe)═CH—, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, siamyl, hexyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl, 2-isopentenyl, hexenyl, n-decenyl, ethynyl, propynyl, or butinyl, each of which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, trichloromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, methylcarbonyloxy, vinylcarbonyloxy, —O—(CH₂)₂—O—, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, phenoxy, fluorophenoxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵ and —CH═N—OCH₃; represents phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylethyl, oxetanyl, oxazolanyl, dioxanyl, dioxolanyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl, imidazolyl, pyrazyl, thiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl, triazinyl, triazolyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thietanyl, thietane dioxide, oxetanylmethyl, oxazolanylmethyl, dioxanylmethyl, dioxolanylmethyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl, pyrrolylmethyl oxazolylmethyl, isoxazylmethyl, imidazolylmethyl, pyrazylmethyl, thiazolylmethyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyrimidinylmethyl, pyridazylmethyl, triazinylmethyl, triazolylmethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, thietanylmethyl, thietane dioxide methyl, oxetanylethyl, oxazolanylethyl, dioxanylethyl, dioxolanylethyl, furylethyl, thienylethyl, pyrrolylethyl, oxazolylethyl, isoxazylethyl, imidazolylethyl, pyrazylethyl, thiazolylethyl, pyridinylethyl, pyrimidinylethyl, pyridazylethyl, triazinylethyl, triazolylethyl, tetrahydropyranylethyl, thietanylethyl, or thietane dioxide ethyl, each of which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H, —CF₂CHFCF₃, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, methylcarbonyloxy, and ethylcarbonyloxy; or represents Q.
 12. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I-p)

in which R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, or cycloalkyl; or represent optionally substituted aryl, arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, or R¹ and R² together represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen and the resulting ring is optionally substituted by halogen or alkyl, X represents halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or, when n represents 2, 3 or 4, two adjacent X together optionally represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen, n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2, 3 or 4, p represents 0, 1 or 2, Z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)—, or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, r represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R represents the group

where A represents oxygen, sulphur, or NR¹⁵, and E represents —OR¹⁶, or —SR¹⁶, —O-M, or —S-M, or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimic) selected from the group consisting of

M represents ammonium which is optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl; or represents an alkali metal ion, or represents an alkaline earth metal ion forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R³ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, R⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl or alkylcarbonyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent alkylidene; or represent optionally halogen-, nitro-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-substituted benzylidene; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains a further nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and is optionally be substituted by alkyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl or arylalkyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl, R⁸ represents alkyl or halogenoalkyl, R¹⁰ represents halogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents aryl or arylalkyl that are optionally substituted in the aryl moiety by halogen or alkyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen or alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkyl or alkoxy, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, or halogenoalkyl, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, or dialkylamino, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents optionally halogen-, amino-, hydroxyl-, cyano-, nitro-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkenyloxy-carbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-, alkenylcarbonyloxy-, oxyalkyleneoxy-, oxetanyl-, dioxanyl-, oxazolidinyl-, dioxolanyl-, aryloxy-, halogenoaryloxy-, —CONR⁴R⁵—, —NR⁴R⁵—, —ONR⁴R⁵—, or —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur; or represents —NR⁴R⁵; represents Q; or represents optionally substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl or nitro, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings when two or more R¹¹ are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping may have identical or different meanings when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen, alkyl or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent alkylene, R²¹ represents hydrogen, represents optionally alkylcarbonyloxy- or alkoxy-substituted alkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, cyano-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkylcarbonyl-, alkoxycarbonyl-, or alkylene-substituted aryl, R²² represents hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl.
 13. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I-q)

in which R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, or cycloalkyl; or represent optionally substituted aryl, or arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, or R¹ and R² together represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen and the resulting ring is optionally substituted by halogen or alkyl, X represents halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or, when n represents 2, 3 or 4, two adjacent X together optionally represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen, n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2, 3 or 4, Z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)—, or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, r represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R represents the group

where A represents oxygen, sulphur, or NR¹⁵ and E represents —SR¹⁶ or —S-M, or where A represents sulphur or NR¹⁵ and E represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, or —S-M, or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimic) selected from the group consisting of

M represents ammonium which is optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl; or represents an alkali metal ion, or represents an alkaline earth metal ion forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R³ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, R⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl or alkylcarbonyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent alkylidene; or represent optionally halogen-, nitro-, alkyl-, or halogenoalkyl-substituted benzylidene; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains a further nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and is optionally be substituted by alkyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl or arylalkyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl or arylalkyl, R⁸ represents alkyl or halogenoalkyl, R¹⁰ represents halogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents aryl or arylalkyl that are optionally substituted in the aryl moiety by halogen or alkyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen or alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkyl or alkoxy, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl or halogenoalkyl, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano or dialkylamino, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents optionally halogen-, amino-, hydroxyl-, cyano-, nitro-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkenyloxy-carbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-, alkenylcarbonyloxy-, oxyalkyleneoxy-, oxetanyl-, dioxanyl-, oxazolidinyl-, dioxolanyl-, aryloxy-, halogenoaryloxy-, —CONR⁴R⁵—, —NR⁴R⁵—, —ONR⁴R⁵—, or —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur; or represents —NR⁴R⁵; represents Q; or represents optionally substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl or nitro, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings when two or more R¹¹ are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping may have identical or different meanings when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen, alkyl or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent alkylene, R²¹ represents hydrogen, represents optionally alkylcarbonyloxy- or alkoxy-substituted alkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, cyano-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkylcarbonyl-, alkoxycarbonyl-, or alkylene-substituted aryl, R²² represents hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl.
 14. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I-r)

in which R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, or cycloalkyl; or represent optionally substituted aryl, or arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur, or R¹ and R² together represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen and the resulting ring is optionally substituted by halogen or alkyl, X represents halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or, when n represents 2, 3 or 4, two adjacent X together optionally represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen, n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2, 3 or 4, Z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)—, or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, r represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R represents the group

where A represents oxygen, sulphur, or NR¹⁵ and E represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, or —S-M, or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimic) selected from the group consisting of

M represents ammonium that is optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl; or represents an alkali metal ion, or represents an alkaline earth metal ion forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R³ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, R⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl or alkylcarbonyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent alkylidene; or represent optionally halogen-, nitro-, alkyl-, or halogenoalkyl-substituted benzylidene; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains a further nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and is optionally be substituted by alkyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, or arylalkyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl, R⁸ represents alkyl or halogenoalkyl, R¹⁰ represents halogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents aryl or arylalkyl that are optionally substituted in the aryl moiety by halogen or alkyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen or alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkyl or alkoxy, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, or halogenoalkyl, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, or dialkylamino, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents optionally halogen-, amino-, hydroxyl-, cyano-, nitro-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkenyloxy-carbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-, alkenylcarbonyloxy-, oxyalkyleneoxy-, oxetanyl-, dioxanyl-, oxazolidinyl-, dioxolanyl-, aryloxy-, halogenoaryloxy-, —CONR⁴R⁵—, —NR⁴R⁵—, —ONR⁴R⁵—, or —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or represents —NR⁴R⁵; represents Q; or represents optionally substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl or nitro, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings when two or more R¹¹ are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping may have identical or different meanings when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen, alkyl or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent alkylene, R²¹ represents hydrogen, represents optionally alkylcarbonyloxy- or alkoxy-substituted alkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, cyano-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkylcarbonyl-, alkoxycarbonyl-, or alkylene-substituted aryl, R²² represents hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl.
 15. A pyridylpyrimidine of the formula (I-s)

in which R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, or cycloalkyl; or represent optionally substituted aryl, or arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur, or R¹ and R² together represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen and the resulting ring is optionally substituted by halogen or alkyl, X represents halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or, when n represents 2, 3 or 4, two adjacent X together optionally represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen, n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2, 3 or 4, Z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)—, or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, r represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R represents the group

where A represents oxygen, sulphur, or NR¹⁵ and E represents —OR¹⁶, or —SR¹⁶, —O-M, or —S-M, or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimic) selected from the group consisting of

M represents ammonium that is optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl; or represents an alkali metal ion, or represents an alkaline earth metal ion forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R³ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur, R⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, or alkylcarbonyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent alkylidene; or represent optionally halogen-, nitro-, alkyl-, or halogenoalkyl-substituted benzylidene; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains a further nitrogen, oxygen, or sulphur atom and is optionally be substituted by alkyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, or arylalkyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl, R⁸ represents alkyl or halogenoalkyl, R¹⁰ represents halogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents aryl or arylalkyl that are optionally substituted in the aryl moiety by halogen or alkyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen or alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, or alkoxy, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, or halogenoalkyl, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, or dialkylamino, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents optionally halogen-, amino-, hydroxyl-, cyano-, nitro-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkenyloxy-carbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-, alkenylcarbonyloxy-, oxyalkyleneoxy-, oxetanyl-, dioxanyl-, oxazolidinyl-, dioxolanyl-, aryloxy-, halogenoaryloxy-, —CONR⁴R⁵—, —NR⁴R⁵—, —ONR⁴R⁵—, or —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur; or represents —NR⁴R⁵; represents Q; or represents optionally substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl or nitro, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings when two or more R¹¹ are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping may have identical or different meanings when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen, alkyl or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent alkylene, R²¹ represents hydrogen, represents optionally alkylcarbonyloxy- or alkoxy-substituted alkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, cyano-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkylcarbonyl-, alkoxycarbonyl-, or alkylene-substituted aryl, R²² represents hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl.
 16. A pyridylpyrimidine of formula (I-n)

in which R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, or cycloalkyl; or represent optionally substituted aryl, or arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, or R¹ and R² together represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen and the resulting ring is optionally substituted by halogen or alkyl, X represents halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or, when n represents 2, 3 or 4, two adjacent X together optionally represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen, n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2, 3 or 4, Y² represents a direct bond, oxygen, sulphur, or —NR⁹—, Z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)—, or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, r represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R³ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, R⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl or alkylcarbonyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent alkylidene; or represent optionally halogen-, nitro-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-substituted benzylidene; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains a further nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and is optionally be substituted by alkyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl or arylalkyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl, R⁸ represents alkyl or halogenoalkyl, R⁹ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur, R¹⁰ represents halogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents aryl or arylalkyl that are optionally substituted in the aryl moiety by halogen or alkyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen or alkyl, and R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, or alkoxy.
 17. A pesticide comprising one or more compounds of formula (I) according to claim 1 and one or more extenders and/or surfactants.
 18. A process for preparing a pesticide comprising mixing a compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 with one or more extenders and/or surfactants.
 19. A method of controlling pests comprising allowing a compound of formula (I)

in which R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, or cycloalkyl; or represent optionally substituted aryl, or arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur, or R¹ and R² together represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen and the resulting ring is optionally substituted by halogen or alkyl, X represents halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or, when n represents 2, 3 or 4, two adjacent X together optionally represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen, n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2, 3 or 4, Y represents a direct bond, oxygen, sulphur or —NR⁹—, p represents 0, 1 or 2, Z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)—, or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, r represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R represents the group

 or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimic) selected from the group consisting of

A represents oxygen, sulphur, or NR¹⁵, E represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, —S-M, or NR¹⁷R¹⁸, M represents ammonium that is optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl; or represents an alkali metal ion, or represents an alkaline earth metal ion forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R³ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, R⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl or alkylcarbonyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent alkylidene; or represent optionally halogen-, nitro-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-substituted benzylidene; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains a further nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and is optionally be substituted by alkyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl or arylalkyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl or arylalkyl, R⁸ represents alkyl or halogenoalkyl, R⁹ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, or halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, R¹⁰ represents halogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents aryl or arylalkyl that are optionally substituted in the aryl moiety by halogen or alkyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen or alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkyl or alkoxy, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl or halogenoalkyl, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano or dialkylamino, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents optionally halogen-, amino-, hydroxyl-, cyano-, nitro-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkenyloxy-carbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-, alkenylcarbonyloxy-, oxyalkyleneoxy-, oxetanyl-, dioxanyl-, oxazolidinyl-, dioxolanyl-, aryloxy-, halogenoaryloxy-, —CONR⁴R⁵—, —NR⁴R⁵—, —ONR⁴R⁵—, or —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur; or represents —NR⁴R⁵; represents Q; or represents optionally substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl or nitro, R¹⁷ represents hydrogen or alkyl, R¹⁸ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, alkyl, or alkenyl; represents optionally halogen-, hydroxyl-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, or oxyalkyleneoxy-substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur; represents —S(O)_(p)R³, —OR¹⁴, or —NR⁴R⁵; represents alkyl or alkenyl, each of which is substituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkoxycarbonyl, and alkenyloxycarbonyl; or represents optionally substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are nitro or alkoxycarbonyl, or R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains 1 to 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur and is optionally substituted by alkyl, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings when two or more are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping may have identical or different meanings when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen, alkyl or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent alkylene, R²¹ represents hydrogen, represents optionally alkylcarbonyloxy- or alkoxy-substituted alkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, cyano-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkylcarbonyl-, alkoxycarbonyl-, or alkylene-substituted aryl, R²² represents hydrogen, alkyl, or alkoxyalkyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, alkyl, or alkoxyalkyl, to act on pests and/or their habitat.
 20. A method according to claim 19 wherein R represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere selected from the group consisting of

where R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl or halogenoalkyl.
 21. A method according to claim 19 wherein R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents optionally halogen-, amino-, hydroxyl-, cyano-, nitro-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkenyloxycarbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-, alkenylcarbonyloxy-, oxyalkyleneoxy-, oxetanyl-, dioxanyl-, oxazolidinyl-, dioxolanyl-, aryloxy-, halogenoaryloxy-, —CONR⁴R⁵—, —NR⁴R⁵—, —ONR⁴R⁵—, or —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, or alkylcarbonyloxy-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or represents —NR⁴R⁵; or represents Q, and R¹⁸ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, alkyl, or alkenyl; represents optionally halogen-, hydroxyl-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, or oxyalkyleneoxy-substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur; represents —S(O)_(p)R³, —OR¹⁴, or —NR⁴R⁵.
 22. A method according to claim 19 wherein R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-halogenoalkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-alkynyloxy, C₂-C₆-halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, or C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl; or represent aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl or 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, and C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, or R¹ and R² together represent C₃-C₅-alkylene or C₃-C₄-alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms that are 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms and/or 0 or 1 oxygen atom, and where the resulting ring is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen and C₁-C₆-alkyl, X represents halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-halogenoalkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-alkynyloxy, C₂-C₆-halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, or 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl that contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms; or, when n represents 2 or 3, two adjacent radicals X together optionally represent C₃-C₅-alkylene or C₃-C₄-alkenylene, where the carbon chain s optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms that are 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms and/or 0 or 1 oxygen atom, n represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2 or 3, Y represents a direct bond, oxygen, —S(O)_(p)—, or —NR⁹—, p represents 0, 1 or 2, Z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)—, or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, r represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R represents the group

 or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimetic), selected from the group consisting of

A represents oxygen, sulphur, or NR¹⁵, E represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, —S-M, or NR¹⁷R¹⁸, M represents ammonium which is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl, aryl, and aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl; or represents a lithium cation (Li⁺), a sodium cation (Na⁺) or a potassium cation (K⁺); or represents a magnesium cation (Mg²⁺) or a calcium cation (Ca²⁺) forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R³ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, or C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, or 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, and C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, R⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, or C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent C₁-C₆-alkylidene; or represent benzylidene that is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkyl, and C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyle that optionally contain a further nitrogen, oxygen, or sulphur atom and that is optionally be mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different C₁-C₆-alkyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, or aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, aryl, or aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, R⁸ represents C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, R⁹ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, or C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, or 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, and C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, R¹⁰ represents halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl; or represents aryl or aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl which for their part may be mono- or polysubstituted in the aryl moiety by identical or different substitutents selected from the group consisting of halogen and C₁-C₆-alkyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl, or C₁-C₆-alkoxy, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, or C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, cyano or di(C₁-C₆-alkyl)-amino, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents C₁-C₁₆-alkyl, C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, each of which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy, C₂-C₆-alkenylcarbonyloxy, oxy(C₁-C₆-alkylene)oxy, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, aryloxy, halogenoaryloxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵, and —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴; represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl and C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy; represents —NR⁴R⁵; represents Q; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, where the substitutents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl or nitro, R¹⁷ represents hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl, R¹⁸ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, C₁-C₆-alkyl, or C₂-C₆-alkenyl; represents C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, or heteroaryl or heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, and oxy(C₁-C₆-alkylene)oxy; or represents —S(O)_(p)R³, —OR¹⁴ or —NR⁴R⁵; represents C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₂-C₆-alkenyl, each of which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, and C₂-C₆-alkenyloxycarbonyl; or represents C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, or heteroaryl or heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are nitro or C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, or R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains 1 to 2 further heteroatoms including 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms, 0 or 1 oxygen atom, and/or 0 or 1 sulphur atom that are optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different C₁-C₆-alkyl, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings if two or more are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where each repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping optionally has identical or different meaning when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen C₁-C₆-alkyl or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent C₂-C₄-alkylene, R²¹ represents hydrogen; represents C₁-C₆-alkyl that is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy, and C₁-C₆-alkoxy; or represents aryl that is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxycarbonyl, and C₃-C₅-alkylene, R²² represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, or C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, C₁-C₆-alkyl, or C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl.
 23. A method according to claim 22 wherein R represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere selected from the group consisting of

where R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, or C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl.
 24. A method according to claim 22 wherein R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents C₁-C₁₆-alkyl, C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, each of which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy, C₂-C₆-alkenylcarbonyloxy, oxy(C₁-C₆-alkylene)oxy, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, aryloxy, halogenoaryloxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵, and —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴; represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, or 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, and C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyloxy; represents —NR⁴R⁵; or represents Q, and R¹⁸ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, C₁-C₆-alkyl, or C₂-C₆-alkenyl; represents C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, or heteroaryl or heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkylthio, and oxy(C₁-C₆-alkylene)oxy; or represents —S(O)_(p)R³, —OR¹⁴, or —NR⁴R⁵.
 25. A method according to claim 19 wherein R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl; or represent aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, or 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl that contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, and C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, or R¹ and R² together represent C₃-C₅-alkylene or C₃-C₄-alkenylene, where the carbon chain are optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms that are 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms and/or 0 or 1 oxygen atom and where the resulting ring is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and C₁-C₄-alkyl, X represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl that contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, or when n represents 2, two adjacent radicals X together optionally represent C₃-C₄-alkylene or C₃-C₄-alkenylene, where the carbon chain may be interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms that are 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms and/or 0 or 1 oxygen atom, n represents 0, 1 or 2, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2, Y represents a direct bond, oxygen, —S(O)_(p)—, or —NR⁹—, p represents 0, 1 or 2, Z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)—, or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, r represents 1, 2, 3 or 4, t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R represents the group

 or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimic) selected from the group consisting of

A represents oxygen or sulphur, E represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, —S-M, or —NR¹⁷R¹⁸, M represents ammonium which is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, and phenylethyl; or represents a sodium cation (Na⁺) or a potassium cation (K⁺); or represents a magnesium cation (Mg²⁺) or a calcium cation (Ca²⁺) forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R³ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl; represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contain 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, and C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, R⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent C₁-C₄-alkylidene; or represent benzylidene that is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl, and C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains a further nitrogen, oxygen, or sulphur atom and is optionally be mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different C₁-C₄-alkyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, or aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, aryl, or aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, R⁸ represents C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, R⁹ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, which contain 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio and C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, R¹⁰ represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl; or represents aryl or aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl that are optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted in the aryl moiety by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and C₁-C₄-alkyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, cyano or di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, decenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, each of which is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy, C₂-C₄-alkenylcarbonyloxy, oxy(C₁-C₄-alkylene)oxy, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, aryloxy, halogenoaryloxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵, and —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴; represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated, heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstitutred by identical or different substitutents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl and C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy; represents Q; represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, decenyl, or C₂-C₄-alkynyl, each of which is optionally substituted up to the maximum possible number by identical or different substituents from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine and bromine; or represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl or nitro, R¹⁷ represents hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl, R¹⁸ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, C₁-C₄-alkyl, or C₂-C₄-alkenyl; represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, or heteroaryl or heteroaryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, and oxy(C₁-C₄-alkylene)oxy; represents —S(O)_(p)R³, —OR¹⁴ or —NR⁴R⁵; represents C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₂-C₄-alkenyl, each of which is mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, and C₂-C₄-alkenyloxycarbonyl; represents C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₂-C₄-alkenyl, each of which is optionally substituted up to the maximum possible number by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, and bromine; or represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, or heteroaryl or heteroaryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different radicals, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are nitro or C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, or R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains 1 to 2 further heteroatoms including 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms, 0 or 1 oxygen atom, and/or 0 or 1 sulphur atom that are optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different C₁-C₄-alkyl, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings when two or more R¹¹ are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where each repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping optionally has identical or different meanings when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent C₂-C₃-alkylene, R²¹ represents hydrogen; represents C₁-C₄-alkyl that is optionally mono- or disubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy and C₁-C₄-alkoxy; or represents aryl that is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl, and C₃-C₅-alkylene, R²² represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl.
 26. A method according to claim 25 wherein R represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere selected from the group consisting of

 R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, or C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms.
 27. A method according to claim 25 wherein R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, decenyl, or C₂-C₄-alkynyl, each of which is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy, C₂-C₄-alkenylcarbonyloxy, oxy(C₁-C₄-alkylene)oxy, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, aryloxy, halogenoaryloxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵, and —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴; represents aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated, heterocyclyl or heterocyclyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstitutred by identical or different substitutents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, and C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyloxy; or represents Q, and R¹⁸ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, C₁-C₄-alkyl, or C₂-C₄-alkenyl; represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, or heteroaryl or heteroaryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which contains 0 to 3 nitrogen atoms, 0 to 2 nonadjacent oxygen atoms, and/or 0 to 2 nonadjacent sulphur atoms, each of which radicals is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine, and/or bromine atoms, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio having 1 to 9 fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine atoms, and oxy(C₁-C₄-alkylene)oxy; or represents —S(O)_(p)R³, —OR¹⁴, or —NR⁴R⁵.
 28. A method according to claim 19 wherein R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H, —CF₂CHFCF₃, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, —SCF₃, —SCHF₂, —SO₂Me, —SO₂CHF₂, —SO₂CF₃, —SOCHF₂, —SOCF₃, —COMe, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, amino, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl; or represent phenyl, benzyl, pyridinyl, furyl, or furfuryl, each of which is optionally substituted by chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, or trifluoromethoxy, or R¹ and R² together represent propylene, butylene, propenylene, butadienylene, —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—NH—CH₂—, —CH═CH—N═CH—, or —CH═CCl—CH═CH—, X represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H, —CF₂CHFCF₃, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, —SCF₃, —SCHF₂, —SO₂Me, —SO₂CHF₂, —SO₂CF₃, —SOCHF₂, —SOCF₃, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, amino, —NHMe, —NMe₂, —CHO, —COMe, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, —NHCOMe, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl, imidazyl, pyrazyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl, triazinyl, triazyl; or represents methylthio, ethylthio, n-propylthio, or isopropylthio; or when n represents 2, two adjacent radicals X together optionally represent propylene, butylene, propenylene or butadienylene, —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—NH—CH₂—, or —CH═CH—N═CH—, n represents 0, 1 or 2, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2, Y represents a direct bond, oxygen, —S(O)_(p)—, or —NR⁹—, p represents 0, 1 or 2, Z represents —CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —(CHR¹⁰)—, —CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—NH—, —CH═CH—, —CH₂—CH═CH—, —CH═C(OH)—, —CH═C(OMe)—, or —CH₂—C(OMe)═CH—; or represents —CH₂—C(OEt)═CH—, R represents the group

A represents oxygen or sulphur, E represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, —S-M, or —NR¹⁷R¹⁸, M represents tetrabutylammonium, trimethylbenzylammonium; or represents a sodium cation (Na⁺) or a potassium cation (K⁺), or represents a magnesium cation (Mg²⁺) or a calcium cation (Ca²⁺), forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, or —COMe, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, vinyl, propargyl, methoxy, methoxymethyl, —COMe, —COEt, tert-butoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent ethylidene, isopropylidene, sec-butylidene, or nitrobenzylidene; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocycle selected from the group consisting of morpholine, piperidine, thiomorpholine, pyrrolidine, tetrahydropyridine, which is optionally mono- or disubstituted by methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, R⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H or —CF₂CHFCF₃, R⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CH₂CF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, R¹⁰ represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —COMe, —COEt, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, or cyclohexyl; represents phenyl or benzyl that are opitonally mono- to tetrasubstituted in the aryl moiety by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and methyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, or tert-butyl, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl or cyano, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, siamyl, hexyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl, 2-isopentenyl, hexenyl, n-decenyl, ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, each of which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, trichloromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, methylcarbonyloxy, vinylcarbonyloxy, —O—(CH₂)₂—O—, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, phenoxy, fluorophenoxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵, and —CH═N—OCH₃; represents phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylethyl, oxetanyl, oxazolanyl, dioxanyl, dioxolanyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl, imidazolyl, pyrazyl, thiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl, triazinyl, triazolyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thietanyl, thietane dioxide, oxetanylmethyl, oxazolanylmethyl, dioxanylmethyl, dioxolanylmethyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl, pyrrolylmethyl, oxazolylmethyl, isoxazylmethyl, imidazolylmethyl, pyrazylmethyl, thiazolylmethyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyrimidinylmethyl, pyridazylmethyl, triazinylmethyl, triazolylmethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, thietanylmethyl, thietane dioxide methyl, oxetanylethyl, oxazolanylethyl, dioxanylethyl, dioxolanylethyl, furylethyl, thienylethyl, pyrrolylethyl, oxazolylethyl, isoxazylethyl, imidazolylethyl, pyrazylethyl, thiazolylethyl, pyridinylethyl, pyrimidinylethyl, pyridazylethyl, triazinylethyl, triazolylethyl, tetrahydropyranylethyl, thietanylethyl, thietane dioxide ethyl, each of which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H, —CF₂CHFCF₃, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, methylcarbonyloxy and ethylcarbonyloxy; represents Q; represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, siamyl, hexyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl, 2-isopentenyl, hexenyl, n-decenyl, ethynyl, propynyl, or butynyl, each of which is optionally substituted up to the maximum possible number by identical or different radicals selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine and bromine; or represents phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylethyl, oxetanyl, oxazolanyl, dioxanyl, dioxolanyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl, imidazolyl, pyrazyl, thiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl, triazinyl, triazolyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thietanyl, thietane dioxide, oxetanylmethyl, oxazolanylmethyl, dioxanylmethyl, dioxolanylmethyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl, pyrrolylmethyl, oxazolylmethyl, isoxazylmethyl, imidazolylmethyl, pyrazylmethyl, thiazolylmethyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyrimidinylmethyl, pyridazylmethyl, triazinylmethyl, triazolylmethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, thietanylmethyl, thietane dioxide methyl, oxetanylethyl, oxazolanylethyl, dioxanylethyl, dioxolanylethyl, furylethyl, thienylethyl, pyrrolylethyl, oxazolylethyl, isoxazylethyl, imidazolylethyl, pyrazylethyl, thiazolylethyl, pyridinylethyl, pyrimidinylethyl, pyridazylethyl, triazinylethyl, triazolylethyl, tetrahydropyranylethyl, thietanylethyl, or thietane dioxide ethyl, each of which is optionally mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl and nitro, R¹⁷ represents hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, R¹⁸ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, vinyl, allyl; represents cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, pyridinyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyridinylethyl, furyl, or furfuryl, each of which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, and —O—CH₂—O—; represents —SO₂Me, —SO₂Et, or —NR⁴R⁵, represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, vinyl, or allyl, each of which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, trichloromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, and tert-butoxycarbonyl; represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, vinyl, allyl, each of which is optionally substituted up to the maximum possible number by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, and bromine; or represents cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, pyridinyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyridinylethyl, furyl, furfuryl, each of which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are nitro, methoxycarbonyl and ethoxycarbonyl, or R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated heterocycle selected from the group consisting of piperazine, morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, which may optionally be mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and isopropyl, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings when two or more R¹¹ are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where each repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping optionally has the same or different meanings when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, or tert-butyl; or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃—, R²¹ represents hydrogen represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, or tert-butyl, each of which is optionally monosubstituted by tert-butylcarbonyloxy or methoxy; or represents phenyl that is optionally mono- or disubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of chlorine, cyano, methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethyl, sec-butyloxycarbonyl, tert-butyloxycarbonyl, n-octyloxycarbonyl, and —(CH₂)₄—, R²² represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or methoxymethyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or methoxymethyl.
 29. A method according to claim 28 wherein X represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H, —CF₂CHFCF₃, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, —SCF₃, —SCHF₂, —SO₂Me, —SO₂CHF₂, —SO₂CF₃, —SOCHF₂, —SOCF₃, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, amino, —NHMe, —NMe₂, —CHO, —COMe, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, —NHCOMe, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl, imidazyl, pyrazyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl, triazinyl, or triazyl; or when n represents 2, two adjacent radicals X together optionally represent propylene, butylene, propenylene or butadienylene, —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—NH—CH₂—, or —CH═CH—N═CH—; Z represents —CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —(CHR¹⁰)—, —CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—NH—, —CH═CH—, —CH₂—CH═CH—, —CH═C(OH)—, —CH═C(OMe)—, or —CH₂—C(OMe)═CH—; R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, siamyl, hexyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl, 2-isopentenyl, hexenyl, n-decenyl, ethynyl, propynyl, or butinyl, each of which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, —OCH₂CF₃, trichloromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, methylcarbonyloxy, vinylcarbonyloxy, —O—(CH₂)₂—O—, oxetanyl, dioxanyl, oxazolidinyl, dioxolanyl, phenoxy, fluorophenoxy, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴R⁵, —ONR⁴R⁵ and —CH═N—OCH₃; represents phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylethyl, oxetanyl, oxazolanyl, dioxanyl, dioxolanyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazyl, imidazolyl, pyrazyl, thiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazyl, triazinyl, triazolyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thietanyl, thietane dioxide, oxetanylmethyl, oxazolanylmethyl, dioxanylmethyl, dioxolanylmethyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl, pyrrolylmethyl oxazolylmethyl, isoxazylmethyl, imidazolylmethyl, pyrazylmethyl, thiazolylmethyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyrimidinylmethyl, pyridazylmethyl, triazinylmethyl, triazolylmethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, thietanylmethyl, thietane dioxide methyl, oxetanylethyl, oxazolanylethyl, dioxanylethyl, dioxolanylethyl, furylethyl, thienylethyl, pyrrolylethyl, oxazolylethyl, isoxazylethyl, imidazolylethyl, pyrazylethyl, thiazolylethyl, pyridinylethyl, pyrimidinylethyl, pyridazylethyl, triazinylethyl, triazolylethyl, tetrahydropyranylethyl, thietanylethyl, thietane dioxide ethyl, each of which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CClF₂, —CHCl₂, —CF₂CHFCl, —CF₂CH₂F, —CF₂CCl₃, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CHFCF₃, —CH₂CF₂H, —CH₂CF₂CF₃, —CF₂CF₂H, —CF₂CHFCF₃, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et, methylcarbonyloxy and ethylcarbonyloxy; or represents Q, and R¹⁸ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, vinyl, or allyl; represents cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, pyridinyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyridinylethyl, furyl, or furfuryl, each of which is optionally mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethylthio, and —O—CH₂—O—; or represents —SO₂Me, —SO₂Et, or —NR⁴R⁵.
 30. A process for preparing pyridylpyrimidines of formula (I)

in which R¹ and R² independently of one another represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, or cycloalkyl; or represent optionally substituted aryl, or arylalkyl, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, or R¹ and R² together represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen and the resulting ring is optionally substituted by halogen or alkyl, X represents halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkenyloxy, halogenoalkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, halogenoalkynyloxy, —S(O)_(p)R³, —NR⁴R⁵, —COR⁶, —CO₂R⁷, —CSR⁶, —CONR⁴R⁵, —NHCO₂R⁸, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or, when n represents 2, 3 or 4, two adjacent X together optionally represent alkylene or alkenylene, where the carbon chain is optionally interrupted by 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen, n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with X representing identical or different radicals when n represents 2, 3 or 4, Y represents a direct bond, oxygen, —S(O)_(p)—, or —NR⁹—, p represents 0, 1 or 2, Z represents —(CH₂)_(r)—, —(CH₂)_(t)—(CHR¹⁰)—(CH₂)_(w)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—S(O)_(p)—(CH₂)_(t)—, —(CH₂)_(r)—N(R¹¹)—(CH₂)_(t)—, or —(CH₂)_(t)—C(R¹²)═C(R¹³)—(CH₂)_(w)—, r represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, t and w independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R represents the group

 or represents a carboxylic acid bioisostere (acid mimic) selected from the group consisting of

A represents oxygen, sulphur, or NR¹⁵, E represents —OR¹⁶, —SR¹⁶, —O-M, —S-M, or NR¹⁷R¹⁸, M represents ammonium that is optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl; or represents an alkali metal ion, or represents an alkaline earth metal ion forming a salt with two molecules of a compound of formula (I), R³ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, R⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl or alkylcarbonyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, amino, formyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or oxamoyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ together represent alkylidene; or represent optionally halogen-, nitro-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-substituted benzylidene; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains a further nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and is optionally be substituted by alkyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl or arylalkyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl or arylalkyl, R⁸ represents alkyl or halogenoalkyl, R⁹ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, R¹⁰ represents halogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents aryl or arylalkyl that are optionally substituted in the aryl moiety by halogen or alkyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen or alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ independently of one another represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkyl or alkoxy, R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl or halogenoalkyl, R¹⁵ represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano or dialkylamino, R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents optionally halogen-, amino-, hydroxyl-, cyano-, nitro-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkenyloxy-carbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-, alkenylcarbonyloxy-, oxyalkyleneoxy-, oxetanyl-, dioxanyl-, oxazolidinyl-, dioxolanyl-, aryloxy-, halogenoaryloxy-, —CONR⁴R⁵—, —NR⁴R⁵—, —ONR⁴R⁵—, or —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur; represents —NR⁴R⁵; represents Q; or represents optionally substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl or nitro, R¹⁷ represents hydrogen or alkyl, R¹⁸ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, alkyl, or alkenyl; represents optionally halogen-, hydroxyl-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, or oxyalkyleneoxy-substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur; represents —S(O)_(p)R³, —OR¹⁴, or —NR⁴R⁵; represents alkyl or alkenyl, each of which is substituted by identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, amino, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, alkoxy, halogenoalkoxy, alkylthio, halogenoalkylthio, alkoxycarbonyl, and alkenyloxycarbonyl; or represents optionally substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are nitro or alkoxycarbonyl, or R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocycle that optionally contains 1 to 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur and is optionally substituted by alkyl, and Q represents one of the groups

 where each R¹¹ may have identical or different meanings when two or more R¹¹ are present in the same heterocyclic group, m represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, where the repeat unit —(CHR¹⁴)— in the side chain of a heterocyclic grouping may have identical or different meanings when m represents 2 or 3, G represents oxygen or sulphur, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently of one another represent hydrogen, alkyl or R¹⁹ and R²⁰ together represent alkylene, R²¹ represents hydrogen; represents optionally alkylcarbonyloxy- or alkoxy-substituted alkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, cyano-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkylcarbonyl-, alkoxycarbonyl-, or alkylene-substituted aryl, R²² represents hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl, and R²³ represents hydrogen, amino, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl. comprising (i) for pyridylpyrimidines of the formula (I-a)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, Z, A, and E have the meanings given for formula (I), (A) reacting a thiol of formula (II)

 in which R¹, R², X, and n have the meanings given for formula (I-a), with a halogen compound of formula (III)

 in which Z, A, and E¹ have the meanings given for formula (I-a), and Hal¹ represents halogen, optionally in the presence of a diluent and optionally in the presence of an acid binder, or (B) reacting a halogenopyrimidine of formula (IV)

 in which R¹, R², Z, A, and E¹ have the meanings given for formula (I-a), and Hal² represents halogen, with a pyridine compound of formula (V)

 in which X and n have the meanings for formula (I-a), and L represents Sn(alkyl)₃, Sn(aryl)₃, ZnBr or ZnCl, optionally in the presence of a diluent and optionally in the presence of a catalyst; (ii) for pyridylpyrimidines of formula (I-b)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, Z, and A have the meanings given for formula (I), and E² represents —NR¹⁷R¹⁸, (1) in a first step, treating a pyridylpyrimidine of formula (I-c)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, Z and A have the meanings given for formula (I-b), E³ represents —OR¹⁶, and R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; represents optionally halogen-, amino-, hydroxyl-, cyano-, nitro-, alkoxy-, halogeno alkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkenyloxy-carbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-, alkenyl carbonyloxy-, oxyalkyleneoxy-, oxetanyl-, dioxanyl-, oxazolidinyl-, dioxolanyl-, aryloxy-, halogenoaryloxy-, —CONR⁴R⁵-, —NR⁴R⁵-, —ONR⁴R⁵-, or —C(R¹⁴)═N—OR¹⁴-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, halogenoalkylthio-, alkoxycarbonyl-, alkylcarbonyloxy-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur; represents —NR⁴R⁵; represents Q; or represents optionally substituted aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur, where the substituents are those mentioned above or are hydroxyl or nitro, with a base, optionally in the presence of a diluent, to form a compound of formula (I-d)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, Z, and A have the meanings given for formula (I-b), and (2) in a second step, reacting the compound of formula (I-d) with an amine of formula (VI) HNR¹⁷R¹⁸  (VI)  in which R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ have the meanings given for formula (I-b), optionally in the presence of a diluent and optionally in the presence of a water-absorbing reagent; (iii) for pyridylpyrimidines of formula (I-e)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, Z, and R have the meanings given for formula (I), oxidizing a pyridylpyrimidine of formula (I-f)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, Z, and R have the meanings given for formula (I-e), with an oxidizing agent, optionally in the presence of a diluent, optionally in the presence of an acid binder, and optionally in the presence of a catalyst; (iv) for pyridylpyrimidines of formula (I-g)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, Z, and R⁹ have the meanings given for formula (I), R^(a) represents one of the groups

R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, or halogenoalkyl, reacting a methylsulphonylpyrimidine of formula (VII)

 in which R¹, R², X, and n have the meanings given for formula (I-g) with an amine of formula (VIII)

 in which Z, R⁹, and R^(a) have the meanings given for formula (I-g), optionally in the presence of a diluent and optionally in the presence of a base; (v) for pyridylpyrimidines of formula (I-h)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, and Z have the meanings given for formula (I), R^(a) represents one of the groups

R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, or halogenoalkyl, reacting a methylsulphonylpyrimidine of formula (VII)

 in which R¹, R², X and n have the meanings given for formula (I-h), with a hydroxyl compound of formula (IX) HO-Z-R^(a)  (IX)  in which Z and R^(a) have the meanings given for formula (I-h), optionally in the presence of a diluent and optionally in the presence of a base; (vi) for pyridylpyrimidines of formula (I-i)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, and Z have the meanings given for formula (I), R^(a) represents one of the groups

R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, or halogenoalkyl, reacting a pyridine derivative of formula (X)

 in which X and n have the meanings given for formula (I-i), or a pyridine derivative of formula (XI)

 in which R¹, R², X, and n have the meanings given for formula (I-i), with an amidine of formula (XII)

 in which Z and R^(a) have the meanings given for formula (I-i), optionally in the presence of a diluent and optionally in the presence of a base; (vii) for pyridylpyrimidines of formula (I-j)

 in which Y² represents a direct bond, oxygen, sulphur, or —NR⁹—, E⁴ represents —O-M or —S-M, and R¹, R², X, n, Z, A, M, and R⁹ have the meanings given for formula (I), reacting a pyridylpyrimidine of formula (I-k)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, Z, A, and Y² have the meanings given for formula (I-j), with a hydroxide of formula (XIII) M OH^(—)  (XIII)  in which M has the meanings given for formula (I-j), optionally in the presence of a diluent; (viii) for pyridylpyrimidines of formula (I-l)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, and Z have the meanings given for formula (I), and R^(b) represents one of the groups

R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, or halogenoalkyl, reacting a nitrile of formula (XIV)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, and Z have the meanings given for formula (I-l), with a trialkyltin azide, optionally in the presence of a diluent; (ix) for pyridylpyrimidines of formula (I-m)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, and Z have the meanings given for formula (I), Y² represents a direct bond, oxygen, sulphur, or —NR⁹-, and R⁹ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, or halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur, hydrogenating a pyridylpyrimidine of formula (I-n)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, Z, and y² have the meanings given for formula (I-m),  optionally in the presence of a diluent and optionally in the presence of a catalyst; and (x) for pyridylpyrimidines of formula (I-o)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, and Z have the meanings given for formula (I), Y² represents a direct bond, oxygen, sulphur, or —NR⁹-, and R⁹ represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; or represents optionally halogen-, alkyl-, halogenoalkyl-, alkoxy-, halogenoalkoxy-, alkylthio-, or halogenoalkylthio-substituted aryl, arylalkyl, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl having 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur, reacting a keto compound of formula (XV)

 in which R¹, R², X, n, Z, and Y² have the meanings given for formula (I-m), with ammonium carbonate and potassium cyanide, optionally in the presence of a diluent. 